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? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Hataitai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess 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 on a Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Hataitai, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the standard of Hataitai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hataitai

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Hataitai

Rental properties in Hataitai must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested 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) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Hataitai

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure 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 the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Hataitai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task for the home to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hataitai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hataitai

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Hataitai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hataitai for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.