Healthy Homes Assessment Riverstone Terraces

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Riverstone Terraces rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals 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 will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Riverstone Terraces, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Riverstone Terraces rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Riverstone Terraces rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Riverstone Terraces Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Riverstone Terraces

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Riverstone Terraces

Riverstone Terraces rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help 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, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Riverstone Terraces

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Riverstone Terraces

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to the home to hold the heat.

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

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

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Riverstone Terraces Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. 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 Riverstone Terraces

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Riverstone Terraces include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home assessment.