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? Landlords now have to ensure that their Raureka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of 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 $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Raureka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement 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 information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Raureka, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Raureka rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Raureka

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Raureka

Rental properties in Raureka must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Raureka

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Raureka

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 quality.

Raureka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Raureka include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Raureka for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.