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 of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Taita rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 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 check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified 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 items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge 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 inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Taita, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Taita rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Taita rental properties.

Start now and call about the Taita Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A cold house costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Taita

Rental properties in Taita need to have a stable heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 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 requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Taita

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens 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.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Taita

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor 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 It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, 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 affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Taita include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.