Healthy Homes Assessment Ōtāne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 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 must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate both 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Ōtāne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Ōtāne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is 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, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Ōtāne rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Ōtāne rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Ōtāne Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ōtāne

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Ōtāne

Ōtāne rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for 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. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

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

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Ōtāne

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ōtāne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 Ōtāne

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standards in Ōtāne include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ōtāne for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property house assessment.