Healthy Homes Assessment Taita

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’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 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 fully certified to assess both 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details 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 being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Taita rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well 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 increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors in an 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 healthy houses

Heating Taita

Rental properties in Taita should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. 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 heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Taita

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable 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 warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Taita

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy for the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Taita

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Taita include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.