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? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Taita rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in 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 within Taita rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Taita Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most 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 and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Taita

Taita rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Taita

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Taita

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task for the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standard in Taita include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.