Healthy Homes Assessment Taita

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Taita rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified to assess 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 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. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on 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?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Taita, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Taita rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Taita rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Taita Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Taita

Taita rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Taita

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Taita

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 the entire 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

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Taita

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Taita include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.