Healthy Homes Assessment Rongotai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Rongotai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when 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.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request an 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 are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Rongotai, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Rongotai rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Rongotai rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Rongotai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A humid house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Rongotai

Rental properties in Rongotai should have a permanent heating source that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Rongotai

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Rongotai

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands 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 – the rest of the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Rongotai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 with The Healthy Homes Standards in Rongotai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Rongotai for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.