Healthy Homes Assessment Hataitai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Hataitai 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 can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Hataitai, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Hataitai rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Hataitai rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Hataitai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hataitai

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Hataitai

Rental properties in Hataitai need to have a stable heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hataitai

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Hataitai

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to allow the home to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Hataitai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hataitai

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Hataitai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hataitai for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.