Healthy Homes Assessment Hongoeka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Hongoeka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Hongoeka, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Hongoeka rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Hongoeka rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hongoeka

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Hongoeka

Rental properties in Hongoeka need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it might require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hongoeka

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Hongoeka

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent 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

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Hongoeka include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.