Healthy Homes Assessment Rongotai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Rongotai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to evaluate 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to 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 approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Rongotai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that 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 household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Rongotai

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

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Rongotai

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house 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 must make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier for the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Rongotai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Rongotai

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standards in Rongotai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Rongotai for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.