Healthy Homes Assessment Rongotai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Rongotai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

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

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Rongotai, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Rongotai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Start now and call about the Rongotai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Rongotai

Rongotai rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Rongotai

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Rongotai

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Rongotai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Rongotai

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Rongotai for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.