Healthy Homes Assessment Hataitai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Hataitai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified for each of 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Hataitai, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Hataitai rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about receiving a Hataitai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hataitai

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Hataitai

Hataitai rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Hataitai

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Hataitai

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses 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 cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make it easier for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Hataitai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe 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 to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hataitai

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Hataitai include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hataitai for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.