Healthy Homes Assessment Riverstone Terraces

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Riverstone Terraces rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Riverstone Terraces, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Riverstone Terraces rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Riverstone Terraces rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Riverstone Terraces Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Riverstone Terraces

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Riverstone Terraces

Rental properties in Riverstone Terraces require a reliable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Riverstone Terraces

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Riverstone Terraces

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Riverstone Terraces Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Riverstone Terraces include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.