Healthy Homes Assessment Taradale

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Taradale rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done, and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Taradale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Taradale rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 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 isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an 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 landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Taradale, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Taradale rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Taradale rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Taradale Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Taradale

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Taradale

Taradale rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not 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 have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Taradale

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Taradale

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to allow the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of 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 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

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

Taradale Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s 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 must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Taradale

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Taradale include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Taradale for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.