Healthy Homes Assessment Ōtāne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Ōtāne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a 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 will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Ōtāne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Ōtāne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Ōtāne, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Ōtāne rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as 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 can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Ōtāne

Rental properties in Ōtāne need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the 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 wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ōtāne

Each living space within a rental house must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Ōtāne

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand 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 rest 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

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

Ōtāne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is 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 rising into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ōtāne

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ōtāne for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.