Healthy Homes Assessment Rongotai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Rongotai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Rongotai, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Rongotai rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Rongotai

Rongotai rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Rongotai

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Rongotai

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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 standard.

Rongotai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standards in Rongotai include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Rongotai for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.