Healthy Homes Assessment Hataitai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Hataitai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in 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 the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Hataitai, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Hataitai rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Hataitai rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hataitai

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Hataitai

Rental properties in Hataitai require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. 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 heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hataitai

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Hataitai

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to allow the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hataitai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that 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 prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of 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 by Healthy 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 a variety of concerns to look over during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.