Healthy Homes Assessment Onekawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must 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 completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Onekawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Onekawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Onekawa, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Onekawa rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Onekawa rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Onekawa

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Onekawa

Rental properties in Onekawa require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Onekawa

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Onekawa

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements 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 the insulation is able to resist 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 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Onekawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing 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 through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Onekawa include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Onekawa for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.