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 make sure that their Rongotai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Rongotai, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Rongotai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Rongotai rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Rongotai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Rongotai

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

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Rongotai

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Rongotai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes much easier for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Rongotai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about 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 through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Rongotai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Rongotai for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.