Healthy Homes Assessment Taita

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Taita rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with 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 violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate 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 contract is signed on a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Taita, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Taita rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Taita rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Taita

Rental properties in Taita require a reliable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Taita

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Taita

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

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

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Taita

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Taita include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.