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 now have to ensure their Rongotai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely 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 will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to evaluate 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a 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.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an house inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of 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 rent in New Zealand and Rongotai, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Rongotai rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Rongotai rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Rongotai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold house 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 that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Rongotai

Rongotai rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with 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 may be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Rongotai

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

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

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Rongotai

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 and 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

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

Rongotai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard 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 variety of things to be able to examine during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.