Healthy Homes Assessment Hataitai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Hataitai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate 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 about any tasks which requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to evaluate each of 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Hataitai, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Hataitai rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Hataitai rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Hataitai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hataitai

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Hataitai

Hataitai rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (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 room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, 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 living space already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Hataitai

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Hataitai

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements 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 more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

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

Hataitai 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 to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your 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 Hataitai

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Hataitai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hataitai for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.