Healthy Homes Assessment Riverstone Terraces

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Riverstone Terraces rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Riverstone Terraces rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Riverstone Terraces rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Riverstone Terraces Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Riverstone Terraces

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Riverstone Terraces

Rental properties in Riverstone Terraces require a reliable heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Riverstone Terraces

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Riverstone Terraces

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier for the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Riverstone Terraces Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing 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

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Riverstone Terraces include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• 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 when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.