Healthy Homes Assessment Rongotai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Rongotai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Rongotai, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Rongotai rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Rongotai

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

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it may need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Rongotai

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Rongotai

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make much easier for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge 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 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Rongotai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent 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 Rongotai

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Rongotai include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Rongotai for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.