Healthy Homes Assessment Riverstone Terraces

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 are now required to make sure their Riverstone Terraces rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Riverstone Terraces, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Riverstone Terraces rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Riverstone Terraces rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Riverstone Terraces Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Riverstone Terraces

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building when the home warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Riverstone Terraces

Riverstone Terraces rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Riverstone Terraces

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Riverstone Terraces

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to allow the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Riverstone Terraces Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. 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 Riverstone Terraces

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Riverstone Terraces include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during a home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough 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 a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.