Healthy Homes Assessment Onekawa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Onekawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on an Onekawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Onekawa, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Onekawa rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Onekawa rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Onekawa

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Onekawa

Rental properties in Onekawa should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the 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 be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like 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 could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Onekawa

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Onekawa

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Onekawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must 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 the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standards in Onekawa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Onekawa for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences 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 have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.