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 now have to ensure their Raureka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be done and provide a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Raureka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Raureka, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Raureka rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Raureka rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Raureka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Raureka

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during your 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 Raureka

Raureka rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it could need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Raureka

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding how dried air can be more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Raureka

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making it easier for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Raureka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standard in Raureka include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Raureka for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home evaluation.