Healthy Homes Assessment Hataitai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Hataitai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in 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 reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Hataitai, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Hataitai rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Hataitai rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Hataitai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hataitai

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

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

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Hataitai

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

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hataitai

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Hataitai

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making much easier for the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hataitai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Hataitai include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hataitai for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.