Healthy Homes Assessment Papakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Papakowhai 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Papakowhai, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Papakowhai rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Papakowhai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Papakowhai

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Papakowhai

Rental properties in Papakowhai need to have a stable heating source that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Papakowhai

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Papakowhai

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with 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 household to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands 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 remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Papakowhai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Papakowhai

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Papakowhai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Papakowhai for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.