Healthy Homes Assessment Raureka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Raureka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified for both 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Raureka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Raureka, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Raureka rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Raureka rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Raureka

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A cold house 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 or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Raureka

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

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Raureka

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Raureka

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• 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 and underfloor 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Raureka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

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

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the home. 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

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Raureka include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Raureka for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.