Healthy Homes Assessment Raureka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Raureka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Raureka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Raureka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Raureka, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Raureka rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Raureka rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Raureka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Raureka

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Raureka

Raureka rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Raureka

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Raureka

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to allow the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Raureka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Raureka

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Raureka include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Raureka for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require 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 draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.