Healthy Homes Assessment Rongotai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Rongotai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done and offer a 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if 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.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Rongotai, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Rongotai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Begin now by calling about the Rongotai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Rongotai

Rental properties in Rongotai require a reliable source of heating which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Rongotai

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Rongotai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of 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 below floor 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 the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Rongotai

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Rongotai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Rongotai for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.