Healthy Homes Assessment Rongotai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Rongotai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of 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 $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Rongotai, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Rongotai rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Rongotai

Rongotai rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Rongotai

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and 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 considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Rongotai

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand 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 rest area 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, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Rongotai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Rongotai

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Rongotai include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Rongotai for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.