Healthy Homes Assessment Taita

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Taita rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under 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 up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Taita, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Taita rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Taita rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Taita

Taita rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Taita

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Taita

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to allow the house to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Taita

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Taita include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.