Healthy Homes Assessment Raureka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Raureka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Raureka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the 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 isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Raureka, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Raureka rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Raureka rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Raureka

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Raureka

Rental properties in Raureka require a reliable source of heating which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it could need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Raureka

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly 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 such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation 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 dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Raureka

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to allow the home to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Raureka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Raureka

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Raureka include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Raureka for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient 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 being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.