Healthy Homes Assessment Hongoeka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Hongoeka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Hongoeka, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Hongoeka rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about having a Hongoeka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hongoeka

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Hongoeka

Rental properties in Hongoeka require a reliable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 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 well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hongoeka

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Hongoeka

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the house to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hongoeka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hongoeka

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Hongoeka include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.