Healthy Homes Assessment Rongotai

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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Rongotai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start 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 and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Rongotai, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Rongotai rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Rongotai rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Rongotai

Rongotai rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need 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 for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Rongotai

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

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

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Rongotai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

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

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Rongotai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Rongotai

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Rongotai include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Rongotai for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.