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? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. 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.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Hongoeka, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Hongoeka rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Hongoeka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hongoeka

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Hongoeka

Hongoeka rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hongoeka

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

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Hongoeka

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make much easier for the home to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hongoeka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting 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 with The Healthy Homes Standards in Hongoeka include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.