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 July 2021? Landlords now have 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 rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed 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 Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Hataitai, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Hataitai rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Hataitai rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Hataitai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hataitai

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within the home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Hataitai

Rental properties in Hataitai need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on 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 outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hataitai

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out 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 areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Hataitai

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making much easier for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hataitai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent 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

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hataitai for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.