Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Arakura rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to evaluate 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Arakura, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Arakura rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Arakura rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Arakura Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from your house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Arakura

Rental properties in Arakura should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it could need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Arakura

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that dried air can be less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Arakura

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Arakura include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.