Healthy Homes Assessment Ōtāne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st 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 renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to evaluate 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Ōtāne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Ōtāne, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Ōtāne rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Ōtāne rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ōtāne

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Ōtāne

Rental properties in Ōtāne must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ōtāne

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Ōtāne

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ōtāne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ōtāne

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Ōtāne include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ōtāne for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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