Healthy Homes Assessment Raupunga

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 Raupunga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely 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 your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified for each of 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 tenancy is signed on a Raupunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Raupunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Raupunga, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Raupunga rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Raupunga rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Raupunga Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Raupunga

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Raupunga

Rental properties in Raupunga must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Raupunga

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Raupunga

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective 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 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 the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Raupunga

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Raupunga include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Raupunga for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property house assessment.