Healthy Homes Assessment Hataitai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Hataitai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Hataitai, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Hataitai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for 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 stopping within Hataitai rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Hataitai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hataitai

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Hataitai

Rental properties in Hataitai require a reliable source of heating that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hataitai

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient 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 warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Hataitai

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make more easy for the home to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hataitai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standards in Hataitai include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hataitai for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.