Healthy Homes Assessment Ōtāne

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete 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 any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess each of 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Ōtāne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Ōtāne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done 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 Ōtāne, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Ōtāne rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Ōtāne Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ōtāne

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Ōtāne

Ōtāne rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will 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 under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Ōtāne

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Ōtāne

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making it easier for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements 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 withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ōtāne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ōtāne

The areas of rental property that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Ōtāne include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ōtāne for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property house evaluation.