Healthy Homes Assessment Taita

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Taita rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Taita, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Taita rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Taita rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Taita

Rental properties in Taita should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 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 health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Taita

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and an apartment 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. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Taita

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the household to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this 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 rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Taita include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.