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 must make sure 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Rongotai, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Rongotai rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Rongotai

Rongotai rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the 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 heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Rongotai

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Rongotai

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to allow the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Rongotai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Rongotai

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Rongotai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Rongotai for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.