Healthy Homes Assessment Taradale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Taradale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Taradale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Taradale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Taradale, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, 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 mental health.

Improving the quality of Taradale rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning 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 within Taradale rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Taradale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taradale

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Taradale

Taradale 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 most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Taradale

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs at least open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Taradale

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Taradale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Taradale

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Taradale include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taradale for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.