Healthy Homes Assessment Hongoeka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Hongoeka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 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. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Hongoeka, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Hongoeka rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Hongoeka rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Hongoeka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hongoeka

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Hongoeka

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

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hongoeka

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Hongoeka

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Hongoeka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hongoeka

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Hongoeka include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.