Healthy Homes Assessment Hataitai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Hataitai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified to assess 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 items must be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

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

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Hataitai, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Hataitai rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means 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, and Draught Stopping for Hataitai rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Hataitai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hataitai

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Hataitai

Hataitai rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hataitai

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Hataitai

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to allow the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

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

Hataitai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Hataitai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hataitai for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during an house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.