Healthy Homes Assessment Papakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Papakowhai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified for 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Papakowhai, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Papakowhai rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Papakowhai rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Papakowhai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Papakowhai

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from the house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Papakowhai

Papakowhai rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Papakowhai

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Papakowhai

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to allow the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Papakowhai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed 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 stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Papakowhai include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Papakowhai for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.