Healthy Homes Assessment Hongoeka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Hongoeka, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Hongoeka rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Hongoeka rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Hongoeka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hongoeka

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Hongoeka

Rental properties in Hongoeka need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it could require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Hongoeka

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Hongoeka

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Hongoeka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside 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 damp and moisture, it is usually the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hongoeka

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Hongoeka include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• 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 getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.