Healthy Homes Assessment Hataitai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that 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 the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done, and offer the 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified for each of 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Hataitai, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Hataitai rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance 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 within Hataitai rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hataitai

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Hataitai

Rental properties in Hataitai should have a permanent heating source that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Hataitai

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Hataitai

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make it easier for the household to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Hataitai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the 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 Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Hataitai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hataitai for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.