Healthy Homes Assessment Papakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Papakowhai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be done and provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of 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 healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Papakowhai, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Papakowhai rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Papakowhai rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Papakowhai

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Papakowhai

Papakowhai rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it may need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Papakowhai

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Papakowhai

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Papakowhai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Papakowhai

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Papakowhai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Papakowhai for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.