Healthy Homes Assessment Raupunga

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 make sure their Raupunga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in 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 are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Raupunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Raupunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

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 kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Raupunga, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Raupunga rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Raupunga rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Raupunga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Raupunga

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Raupunga

Raupunga rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. 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 heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Raupunga

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Raupunga

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to allow the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Raupunga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Raupunga include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Raupunga for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.