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? Landlords must ensure that their Riverstone Terraces rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified 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 tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Riverstone Terraces, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Riverstone Terraces rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Riverstone Terraces rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Riverstone Terraces

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Riverstone Terraces

Rental properties in Riverstone Terraces must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Riverstone Terraces

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Riverstone Terraces

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Riverstone Terraces Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Riverstone Terraces include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.