Healthy Homes Assessment Raureka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Raureka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the details required to complete 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 any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to assess each of 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Raureka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Raureka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Raureka, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Raureka rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Raureka rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Raureka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Raureka

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Raureka

Raureka rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Raureka

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Raureka

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task for the household to retain warmth.

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

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

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

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

Raureka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to 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

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Raureka include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Raureka for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.