Healthy Homes Assessment Raupunga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Raupunga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Raupunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Raupunga 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 anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Raupunga, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Raupunga rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Raupunga rental properties.

Start now and call about the Raupunga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Raupunga

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Raupunga

Raupunga rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Raupunga

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Raupunga

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand 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 – 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Raupunga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Raupunga

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Raupunga include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Raupunga for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.