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 now have to ensure their Taita rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Taita, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Taita rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Taita rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Taita Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Taita

Taita rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Taita

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Taita

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make much easier for the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Taita

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Taita include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.