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 now have to make sure their Onekawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Onekawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Onekawa, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Onekawa rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also secured 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 requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Onekawa rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Onekawa

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A damp home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the home warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Onekawa

Rental properties in Onekawa require a reliable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Onekawa

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Onekawa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy for the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Onekawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Onekawa

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Onekawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Onekawa for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.