Healthy Homes Assessment Raupunga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Raupunga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 work required. requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Raupunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Raupunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Raupunga, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the standard of Raupunga rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Raupunga rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Raupunga

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Raupunga

Raupunga rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended 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 heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Raupunga

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Raupunga

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Raupunga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Raupunga

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Raupunga include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Raupunga for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.