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 must ensure that 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 fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from 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.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Hongoeka rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Hongoeka rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Hongoeka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hongoeka

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

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Hongoeka

Rental properties in Hongoeka should have a permanent source of heating which 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 suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll 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 in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hongoeka

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Hongoeka

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the 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

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hongoeka

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Hongoeka include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.