Healthy Homes Assessment Onekawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Onekawa 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 conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in 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 are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Onekawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Onekawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Onekawa, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Onekawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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 within Onekawa rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Onekawa

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Onekawa

Onekawa rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need 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 suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it may need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Onekawa

Every living space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Onekawa

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Onekawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Onekawa

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Onekawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Onekawa for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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