Healthy Homes Assessment Taita

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Taita rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with 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 as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to evaluate 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

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

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Taita, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Taita rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Taita rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Taita Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Taita

Taita rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing 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 aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Taita

Every living space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. 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 areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Taita

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to allow the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Taita

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Taita include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.