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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Hataitai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be completed 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 to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Hataitai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Hataitai, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Hataitai rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Hataitai rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss 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 houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during your 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 healthy homes

Heating Hataitai

Hataitai rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hataitai

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Hataitai

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Hataitai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for 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 damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hataitai

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Hataitai include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hataitai for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.