Healthy Homes Assessment Hongoeka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Hongoeka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate 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 about any tasks required. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified 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 contract is signed on a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Hongoeka, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Hongoeka rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hongoeka

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Hongoeka

Rental properties in Hongoeka should have a permanent heating source that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hongoeka

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier 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 all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Hongoeka

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make much easier for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• 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

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Hongoeka include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.