Healthy Homes Assessment Onekawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Onekawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

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 an Onekawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Onekawa, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Onekawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Onekawa rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Onekawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Onekawa

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Onekawa

Rental properties in Onekawa need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Onekawa

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Onekawa

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy for the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Onekawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your 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

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Onekawa include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Onekawa for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.