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 ensure that their Rongotai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Rongotai, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Rongotai rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Rongotai rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Rongotai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Rongotai

Rongotai rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Rongotai

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Rongotai

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with 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 might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Rongotai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Rongotai

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Rongotai for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.