Healthy Homes Assessment Hataitai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Hataitai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Hataitai, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Hataitai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs 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-stopping for Hataitai rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Hataitai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hataitai

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Hataitai

Hataitai rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hataitai

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Hataitai

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hataitai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hataitai

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standard in Hataitai include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hataitai for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.