Healthy Homes Assessment Raupunga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Raupunga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Raupunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will 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 any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Raupunga, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Raupunga rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Raupunga rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Raupunga

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements 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 hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Raupunga

Rental properties in Raupunga should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Raupunga

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Raupunga

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes much easier for the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Raupunga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Raupunga

The areas of rental property that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Raupunga include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Raupunga for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.