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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Onekawa 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 must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Onekawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on an Onekawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Onekawa, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Onekawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Onekawa rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Onekawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Onekawa

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Onekawa

Rental properties in Onekawa must have a fixed heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Onekawa

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Onekawa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Onekawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Onekawa

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Onekawa include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Onekawa for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.