Healthy Homes Assessment Taita

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 must ensure that their Taita rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Taita, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Taita rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Taita rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Taita

Taita rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Taita

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Taita

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to the house to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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 to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Taita include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.