Healthy Homes Assessment Rongotai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure 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 rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check 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 that needs to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended 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 relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement 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’s also important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Rongotai, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Rongotai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for 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 Control in Rongotai rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for 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 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Rongotai

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least open to the outside while remaining closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Rongotai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies 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 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Rongotai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

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

Find out all the details of 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 to 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 a myriad of things to check in an home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property house evaluation.