Healthy Homes Assessment Raureka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea 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 renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’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 found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Raureka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation 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 landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Raureka, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Raureka rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Raureka rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Raureka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Raureka

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Raureka

Raureka rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Raureka

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Raureka

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier for the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Raureka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just 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 into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent 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

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Raureka for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.