Healthy Homes Assessment Riverstone Terraces

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home inspection 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?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Riverstone Terraces, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Riverstone Terraces rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are 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 receiving a Riverstone Terraces Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Riverstone Terraces

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Riverstone Terraces

Rental properties in Riverstone Terraces require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might just require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Riverstone Terraces

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Riverstone Terraces

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 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 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

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

Riverstone Terraces Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Riverstone Terraces include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during a 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 space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.