Healthy Homes Assessment Riverstone Terraces

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Riverstone Terraces rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide 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 of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified to evaluate each of 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 on a Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Riverstone Terraces, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Riverstone Terraces rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Riverstone Terraces Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Riverstone Terraces

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Riverstone Terraces

Riverstone Terraces rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Riverstone Terraces

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Riverstone Terraces

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Riverstone Terraces Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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

The areas of rental property that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Riverstone Terraces include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in an house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, 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 the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.