Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Arakura rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Arakura, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less 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 illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Arakura rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Arakura rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Arakura Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Arakura

Rental properties in Arakura must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then 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 since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Arakura

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dried air can be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Arakura

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to allow the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during the home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.