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 of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Onekawa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified to evaluate both 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Onekawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Onekawa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

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

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Onekawa, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Onekawa rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal 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 getting a Onekawa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Onekawa

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed 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 that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Onekawa

Onekawa rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. 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, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Onekawa

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Onekawa

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes it easier for the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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

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

Onekawa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Onekawa

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standard. 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 many things you should look for during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does 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 adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.