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 July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Rongotai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified to assess 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 contract is signed on a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on 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 inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Rongotai, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Rongotai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Rongotai rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Rongotai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could 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 are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Rongotai

Rental properties in Rongotai must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Rongotai

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Rongotai

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control 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" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire 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

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Rongotai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Rongotai for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.