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 now have to 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 rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Hataitai, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Hataitai rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Contact us now to discuss getting a Hataitai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hataitai

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

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 winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hataitai

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Hataitai

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to the household to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the 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 – the rest 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 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hataitai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hataitai

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Hataitai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hataitai for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property house evaluation.