Healthy Homes Assessment Taita

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Taita rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on the Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a 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 relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Taita, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Taita rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Taita

Rental properties in Taita must have a fixed heating source which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Taita

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Taita

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Taita

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Taita include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.