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 fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

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

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified to evaluate 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Raureka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Raureka, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Raureka rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Raureka rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Raureka

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Raureka

Raureka rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Raureka

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Raureka

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to allow the home to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Raureka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Raureka

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Raureka include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Raureka for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.