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 July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Hongoeka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an home assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. 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 suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Hongoeka rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Hongoeka rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hongoeka

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Hongoeka

Hongoeka rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it could need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hongoeka

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Hongoeka

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make much easier for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hongoeka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

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

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Hongoeka include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.