Healthy Homes Assessment Taita

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Taita rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation 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 in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 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 finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Taita, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Taita rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Taita

Taita rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 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 and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Taita

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Taita

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to allow the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this 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 Standards in Taita include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.