Healthy Homes Assessment Hataitai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Hataitai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’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 conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment performed on 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?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Hataitai, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Hataitai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means 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, and Draught Control in Hataitai rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hataitai

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Hataitai

Rental properties in Hataitai should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Hataitai

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Hataitai

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

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

Hataitai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hataitai

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Hataitai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hataitai for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.