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 of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Raureka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st 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 whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Raureka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Raureka, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Raureka rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Raureka rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Raureka

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Raureka

Raureka rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Raureka

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Raureka

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to allow the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Raureka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 Standards. Healthy Homes Standard 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 look over when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.