Healthy Homes Assessment Hongoeka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Hongoeka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 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 whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate each of 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Hongoeka, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Hongoeka rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Hongoeka rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Hongoeka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hongoeka

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Hongoeka

Hongoeka rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small 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 it requirements to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hongoeka

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Hongoeka

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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

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

Hongoeka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 through the Healthy Homes Standards in Hongoeka include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.