Healthy Homes Assessment Hongoeka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Hongoeka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are 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

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Hongoeka, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Hongoeka rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Hongoeka rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hongoeka

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Hongoeka

Rental properties in Hongoeka need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the 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 to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hongoeka

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Hongoeka

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier for the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hongoeka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hongoeka

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

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

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.