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 must make sure that their Hongoeka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties 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 evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Hongoeka, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Hongoeka rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Hongoeka rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Hongoeka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hongoeka

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Hongoeka

Rental properties in Hongoeka must have a fixed heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Hongoeka

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Hongoeka

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task for the household to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this 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’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Hongoeka include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home assessment.