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 July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Rongotai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to assess each of 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 new or renewed contract is signed on a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once 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 adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which 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 signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Rongotai, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Rongotai rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Rongotai rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Rongotai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house 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 the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your home require 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 ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Rongotai

Rongotai rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space 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 health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it needs to include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Rongotai

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Rongotai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task for the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with 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 more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

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

Rongotai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Rongotai

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Rongotai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Rongotai for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, 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 tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.