Healthy Homes Assessment Raureka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Raureka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to evaluate 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 tenancy is signed on a Raureka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

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

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing 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 named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Raureka, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Raureka rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Raureka rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Raureka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Raureka

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it 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 gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Raureka

Rental properties in Raureka must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Raureka

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Raureka

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier for the household to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Raureka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps 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 through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Raureka include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Raureka for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine in the house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions 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 significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.