Healthy Homes Assessment Riverstone Terraces

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements 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 fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Riverstone Terraces, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Riverstone Terraces rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Riverstone Terraces

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the home warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Riverstone Terraces

Rental properties in Riverstone Terraces must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Riverstone Terraces

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Riverstone Terraces

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Riverstone Terraces Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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 Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Riverstone Terraces include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.