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 make sure that their Riverstone Terraces rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for 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 inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Riverstone Terraces, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Riverstone Terraces rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Riverstone Terraces rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Riverstone Terraces

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Riverstone Terraces

Riverstone Terraces rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Riverstone Terraces

Every living space of a rental house must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Riverstone Terraces

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Riverstone Terraces Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standard in Riverstone Terraces include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.