Healthy Homes Assessment Hataitai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on the Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Hataitai, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Hataitai rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Hataitai rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hataitai

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is 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 coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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

Heating Hataitai

Hataitai rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hataitai

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Hataitai

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hataitai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing 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 Hataitai

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Hataitai include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hataitai for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.