Healthy Homes Assessment Hataitai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Hataitai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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 from New Zealand and Hataitai, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Hataitai rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control on Hataitai rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Hataitai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hataitai

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Hataitai

Rental properties in Hataitai must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hataitai

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Hataitai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make it easier for the house to retain 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 insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of 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

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

Hataitai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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

The areas of rental property that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Hataitai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hataitai for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.