Healthy Homes Assessment Hataitai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Hataitai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be completed and offer the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of 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 $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Hataitai, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Hataitai rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Hataitai rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Hataitai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hataitai

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Hataitai

Rental properties in Hataitai should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hataitai

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Hataitai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient 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, underfloor R 1.3
• 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 quality.

Hataitai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hataitai

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Hataitai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hataitai for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.