Healthy Homes Assessment Hataitai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 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 new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Hataitai, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Hataitai rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Hataitai rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hataitai

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Hataitai

Rental properties in Hataitai need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter 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 heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the 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 airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Hataitai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to the household to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• 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 standard.

Hataitai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hataitai

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Hataitai include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hataitai for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.