Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Arakura 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 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 can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Arakura, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Arakura rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Arakura rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Arakura Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

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

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Arakura

Rental properties in Arakura need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Arakura

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Arakura

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. 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 house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Arakura include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.