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 renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to assess 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Taita, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Taita rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation 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 are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Taita

Rental properties in Taita must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Taita

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Taita

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when 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 prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.