Healthy Homes Assessment Ōtāne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Ōtāne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Ōtāne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Ōtāne, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Ōtāne rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Ōtāne rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Ōtāne Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ōtāne

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft 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 are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Ōtāne

Rental properties in Ōtāne need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it may need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ōtāne

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air will be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Ōtāne

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to the house to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Ōtāne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the 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 Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Ōtāne include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ōtāne for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.