Healthy Homes Assessment Riverstone Terraces

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the 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 a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must 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 can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Riverstone Terraces, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Riverstone Terraces rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Riverstone Terraces rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Riverstone Terraces Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Riverstone Terraces

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Riverstone Terraces

Riverstone Terraces rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Riverstone Terraces

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Riverstone Terraces

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Riverstone Terraces Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. 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 with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Riverstone Terraces include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.