Healthy Homes Assessment Taita

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Taita rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’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 who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Taita, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the quality 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 because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Taita rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Taita Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Taita

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

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Taita

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Taita

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

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

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Taita

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Taita include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.