Healthy Homes Assessment Taita

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Taita rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach 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 healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Taita, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Taita rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss 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 humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building when the home warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Taita

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

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Taita

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a 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.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Taita

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with 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 house to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. 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

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Taita include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.