Healthy Homes Assessment Hongoeka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on 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 completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Hongoeka, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Hongoeka rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Hongoeka rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hongoeka

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Hongoeka

Hongoeka rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hongoeka

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. This 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 for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Hongoeka

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hongoeka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check during a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.