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 of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Hongoeka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied 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 by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Hongoeka, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Hongoeka rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Start now and call about the Hongoeka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hongoeka

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or 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 that is, it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Hongoeka

Hongoeka rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hongoeka

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Hongoeka

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to allow the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

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

Hongoeka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hongoeka

The areas of rental property that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Hongoeka include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.