Healthy Homes Assessment Hongoeka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Hongoeka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards 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 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Hongoeka, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Hongoeka rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Hongoeka rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Hongoeka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hongoeka

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Hongoeka

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

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hongoeka

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Hongoeka

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to allow the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Hongoeka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standards. 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 numerous things to check in a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property home assessment.