Healthy Homes Assessment Hongoeka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Hongoeka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once 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.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate 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 renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Hongoeka, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Hongoeka rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Hongoeka rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hongoeka

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Hongoeka

Hongoeka rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hongoeka

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Hongoeka

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater 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 rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hongoeka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface 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 making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hongoeka

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Hongoeka include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with 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 assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.