Healthy Homes Assessment Hongoeka

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 Hongoeka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified for 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Hongoeka, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Hongoeka rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Hongoeka rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Hongoeka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hongoeka

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of your home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Hongoeka

Hongoeka rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hongoeka

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Hongoeka

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Hongoeka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the 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 with the Healthy Homes Standards in Hongoeka include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

There are many things to check during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.