Healthy Homes Assessment Hongoeka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Hongoeka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate both 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Hongoeka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty 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 is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Hongoeka, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Hongoeka rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control 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 can lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Hongoeka

Hongoeka rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, 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 health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hongoeka

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Hongoeka

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes much easier for the house to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Hongoeka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 Standard in Hongoeka include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hongoeka for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.