Healthy Homes Assessment Rongotai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Rongotai rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Rongotai rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Rongotai

Rental properties in Rongotai need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. 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 could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Rongotai

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Rongotai

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Rongotai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Rongotai

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Rongotai for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.