Healthy Homes Assessment Raupunga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Raupunga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new 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 can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Raupunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Raupunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to provide 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 fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Raupunga, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Raupunga rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Raupunga rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Raupunga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Raupunga

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid house costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Raupunga

Raupunga rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Raupunga

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Raupunga

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Raupunga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Raupunga

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Raupunga for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.