Healthy Homes Assessment Raupunga

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Raupunga rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach 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 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Raupunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Raupunga rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may 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 required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

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

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Raupunga, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Raupunga rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Raupunga

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Raupunga

Rental properties in Raupunga should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Raupunga

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Raupunga

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Raupunga Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Raupunga

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Raupunga include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Raupunga for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.