Healthy Homes Assessment Rongotai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Rongotai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified for each of 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Rongotai, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Rongotai rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Rongotai rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Rongotai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning 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 closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of your home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Rongotai

Rental properties in Rongotai require a reliable source of heat that can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Rongotai

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Rongotai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Rongotai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the 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 with The Healthy Homes Standards in Rongotai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Rongotai for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.