Healthy Homes Assessment Papakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Papakowhai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate each of 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Papakowhai, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Papakowhai rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Papakowhai rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Papakowhai

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Papakowhai

Rental properties in Papakowhai must have a fixed heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Papakowhai

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Papakowhai

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the 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 the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about 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 through the Healthy Homes Standard in Papakowhai include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Papakowhai for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting an 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 require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home assessment.