Healthy Homes Assessment Ōtāne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Ōtāne rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to evaluate both 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Ōtāne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Ōtāne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other 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 leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Ōtāne, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Ōtāne rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Ōtāne rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Ōtāne Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ōtāne

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Ōtāne

Rental properties in Ōtāne need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Ōtāne

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Ōtāne

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Ōtāne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 to The Healthy Homes Standards in Ōtāne include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ōtāne for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.