Healthy Homes Assessment Ōtāne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Ōtāne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st 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 check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Ōtāne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on the Ōtāne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed 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 are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Ōtāne, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Ōtāne rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us 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 humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Ōtāne

Rental properties in Ōtāne need to have a stable heating source which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Ōtāne

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Ōtāne

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make it easier for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better 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 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

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

Ōtāne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ōtāne

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Ōtāne include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ōtāne for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property house evaluation.