Healthy Homes Assessment Hongoeka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Hongoeka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully 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 will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Hongoeka, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Hongoeka rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Hongoeka rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hongoeka

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Hongoeka

Rental properties in Hongoeka should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hongoeka

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Hongoeka

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hongoeka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hongoeka

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standard in Hongoeka include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.