Healthy Homes Assessment Hongoeka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Hongoeka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to 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 fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Hongoeka, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Hongoeka rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Hongoeka rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Hongoeka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hongoeka

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from your home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Hongoeka

Rental properties in Hongoeka must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hongoeka

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Hongoeka

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to the household to hold heat.

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hongoeka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the 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

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Hongoeka include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.