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 of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Taita rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess both 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for 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 colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Taita rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Taita rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Taita

Taita rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it may require an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Taita

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Taita

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, 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 underfloor R 1.3
• 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 standard.

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Taita

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Taita include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.