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? 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 new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties 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 will assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed and provide the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Taita, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Taita rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Taita rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Taita

Taita rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the 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 portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If the living area already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Taita

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Taita

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make much easier for the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better 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, 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 by The Healthy Homes Standards in Taita include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.