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 a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in 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. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

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

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Taita, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the quality of Taita rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Taita rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Taita Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Taita

Taita rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Taita

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that dried air can be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Taita

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task for the home to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 by The Healthy Homes Standard in Taita include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.