Healthy Homes Assessment Hataitai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Hataitai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Hataitai, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Hataitai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Hataitai rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hataitai

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Hataitai

Hataitai rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and 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 could be used to determine if the existing 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 aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hataitai

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Hataitai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to allow the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hataitai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hataitai

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hataitai for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the 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 have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.