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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with 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 $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on an Onekawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Onekawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down 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 hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Onekawa, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Onekawa rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Onekawa rental properties.

Start now and call about the Onekawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Onekawa

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Onekawa

Onekawa rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Onekawa

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Onekawa

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to the house to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Onekawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and 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 your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Onekawa

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Onekawa for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.