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? Landlords must make sure 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 fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

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

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Hongoeka, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Hongoeka rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Hongoeka rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hongoeka

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door in 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 well-being houses

Heating Hongoeka

Hongoeka rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hongoeka

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Hongoeka

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist 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 remainder of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Hongoeka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hongoeka

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standard. 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 numerous concerns to be able to examine in a home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up 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 the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.