Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Arakura rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done for your rental property.

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?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Arakura, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Arakura rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Arakura rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Arakura Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Arakura

Rental properties in Arakura need to have a stable heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Arakura

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Arakura

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standard in Arakura include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.