Healthy Homes Assessment Ōtāne

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of 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 new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Ōtāne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Ōtāne rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Ōtāne, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Ōtāne rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Ōtāne rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Ōtāne

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Ōtāne

Rental properties in Ōtāne should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Ōtāne

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Ōtāne

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Ōtāne Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Ōtāne

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Ōtāne include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Ōtāne for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.