Healthy Homes Assessment Taita

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Taita rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for 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

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended 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 property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Taita, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Taita rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Taita rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Taita Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Taita

Taita rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed 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 portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Taita

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Taita

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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 with The Healthy Homes Standard in Taita include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.