Healthy Homes Assessment Taita

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Taita rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

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

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental 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 are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Taita rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Taita

Rental properties in Taita require a reliable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might just require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Taita

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. 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.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Taita

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task for the household to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 standard.

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Taita include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need 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 a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.