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 must ensure that their Rongotai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified for 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 items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request a home assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Rongotai, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Rongotai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about the Rongotai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of your home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Rongotai

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

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Rongotai

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Rongotai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to the household to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Rongotai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Rongotai

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Rongotai for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.