Healthy Homes Assessment Taita

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Taita rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully 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 evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to assess 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 new or renewed contract is signed on a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Taita, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Taita rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Taita rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Taita Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Taita

Rental properties in Taita need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Taita

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Taita

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to the house to hold warmth.

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 the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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 The Healthy Homes Standard in Taita include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences 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 solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.