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 of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done and provide a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified for both 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 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 efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Hongoeka rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Hongoeka rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting 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 draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Hongoeka

Rental properties in Hongoeka must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hongoeka

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Hongoeka

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to allow the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hongoeka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent 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 Standard in Hongoeka include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.