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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Taita, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Taita rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Taita rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Taita

Taita rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Taita

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Taita

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to allow the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and 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 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full 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 by the Healthy Homes Standard in Taita include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.