Healthy Homes Assessment Rongotai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that 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 are required to be fully certified by 1 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 to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified for each of 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested 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 is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Rongotai, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Rongotai rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Rongotai rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Rongotai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Rongotai

Rongotai rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 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 well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Rongotai

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, but remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Rongotai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Rongotai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Rongotai

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Rongotai include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Rongotai for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in an house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.