Healthy Homes Assessment Riverstone Terraces

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Riverstone Terraces rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any 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 existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Riverstone Terraces, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Riverstone Terraces rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Riverstone Terraces rental properties.

Start now and call about the Riverstone Terraces Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Riverstone Terraces

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Riverstone Terraces

Riverstone Terraces rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Riverstone Terraces

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Riverstone Terraces

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to allow the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Riverstone Terraces Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standards in Riverstone Terraces include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.