Healthy Homes Assessment Taita

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Taita rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the information needed 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 violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is 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

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Taita, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Taita rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Taita rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Taita Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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 entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Taita

Rental properties in Taita require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Taita

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Taita

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water 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 prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the 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 Standards in Taita include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.