Healthy Homes Assessment Papakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to 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 subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be completed and offer a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to assess 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with 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 Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Papakowhai, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Papakowhai rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Papakowhai

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Papakowhai

Rental properties in Papakowhai need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Papakowhai

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Papakowhai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Papakowhai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Papakowhai

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Papakowhai include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Papakowhai for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.