Healthy Homes Assessment Papakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that 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 rental properties must 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 assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which 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 comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation 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 healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely 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

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when 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.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Papakowhai, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Papakowhai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less 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 as Draught stopping in Papakowhai rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Papakowhai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Papakowhai

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or 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’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Papakowhai

Rental properties in Papakowhai must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Papakowhai

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Papakowhai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to the house to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 Standards in Papakowhai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Papakowhai for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during an house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.