Healthy Homes Assessment Raupunga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Raupunga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Raupunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a 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 meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Raupunga, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving 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 diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Raupunga rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Raupunga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Raupunga

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Raupunga

Raupunga rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Raupunga

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dried air can be easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Raupunga

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task for the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Raupunga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Raupunga

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Raupunga include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Raupunga for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.