Healthy Homes Assessment Taita

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Taita, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Taita rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Taita rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Taita Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Taita

Taita rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Taita

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Taita

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 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, underfloor 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

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

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Taita

Rental property areas affected through 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 a myriad of concerns to check during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.