Healthy Homes Assessment Taita

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to evaluate each of 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 Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Taita, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Taita rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Taita rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Taita

Taita rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Taita

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Taita

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective 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

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

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Taita

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Taita include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.