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? Landlords are now required to ensure their Taita rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Taita rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Taita, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Taita rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taita

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Taita

Taita rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Taita

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces 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

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater 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 the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Taita Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Taita

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Taita include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taita for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.