Healthy Homes Assessment Taita

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Taita rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Taita, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Taita rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Taita rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Taita Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Taita

Taita rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 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 well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Taita

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Taita

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to allow the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

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

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Taita

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Taita include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.