Healthy Homes Assessment Rongotai

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 are now required to ensure that their Rongotai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully 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 to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Rongotai, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Rongotai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Rongotai rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Rongotai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Rongotai

Rental properties in Rongotai need to have a stable heating source that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors 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) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it needs to include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Rongotai

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough 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 warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Rongotai

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Rongotai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standards in Rongotai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Rongotai for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home assessment.