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 July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Raureka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Raureka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Raureka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Raureka, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Raureka rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Raureka rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Raureka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Raureka

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Raureka

Raureka rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Raureka

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Raureka

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier for the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Raureka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Raureka

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Raureka include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Raureka for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.