Healthy Homes Assessment Hongoeka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess 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 tenancy is signed on a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Hongoeka, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the standard of Hongoeka rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over 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 as Draught Control 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 increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Hongoeka

Rental properties in Hongoeka require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Hongoeka

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Hongoeka

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists 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 part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the 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

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete 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 The Healthy Homes Standard in Hongoeka include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.