Healthy Homes Assessment Raureka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Raureka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Raureka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Raureka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Raureka, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Raureka rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Raureka rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Raureka

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught 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 can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Raureka

Raureka rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Raureka

Every living space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Raureka

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Raureka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground 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 getting into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Raureka

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Raureka include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Raureka for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.