Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Arakura rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new 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 will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on the Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Arakura, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Arakura rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Arakura rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Arakura Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it 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 that is, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Arakura

Arakura rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Arakura

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air is much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Arakura

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier for the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater 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 rest area of 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Arakura include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.