Healthy Homes Assessment Hongoeka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Hongoeka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified for 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 new or renewed contract is signed on a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Hongoeka, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Hongoeka rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Hongoeka rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hongoeka

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Hongoeka

Rental properties in Hongoeka must have a fixed heating source that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Hongoeka

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Hongoeka

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Hongoeka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Hongoeka include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.