Healthy Homes Assessment Rongotai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Rongotai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Rongotai, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Rongotai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific 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 right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Rongotai

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Rongotai

Rongotai rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Rongotai

Each living space within a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Rongotai

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to allow the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists 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 part 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Rongotai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The 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 Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Rongotai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Rongotai for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.