Healthy Homes Assessment Hataitai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Hataitai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Hataitai, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Hataitai rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Hataitai rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Hataitai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hataitai

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Hataitai

Hataitai rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hataitai

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Hataitai

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Hataitai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hataitai

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Hataitai include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hataitai for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.