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 ensure that 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 rentals must be completely certified 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 assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate both 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information 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’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment done 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?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Riverstone Terraces, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Riverstone Terraces rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for 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 are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home 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 or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Riverstone Terraces

Rental properties in Riverstone Terraces need to have a stable heating source that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended 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) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Riverstone Terraces

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Riverstone Terraces

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have 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 filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to the house to keep heat.

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

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

• 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 floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire 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

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during the house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties home assessment.