Healthy Homes Assessment Riverstone Terraces

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Riverstone Terraces rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

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 homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Riverstone Terraces rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Riverstone Terraces

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Riverstone Terraces

Riverstone Terraces rental properties require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during 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 outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Riverstone Terraces

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Riverstone Terraces

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make more easy for the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Riverstone Terraces Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces

Property rental areas that are affected with the 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 many concerns to look over when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.