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 the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to 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 the work which requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete 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 landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place 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 information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Rongotai, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Rongotai rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on 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 low temperatures inside households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs 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’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Rongotai

Rental properties in Rongotai must have a fixed heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Rongotai

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Rongotai

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Rongotai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Rongotai

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Rongotai for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.