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? The landlords are now required to ensure that 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under 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 healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation 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 landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Taita, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Taita rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Taita rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Taita

Taita rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Taita

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Taita

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Taita

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Taita include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.