Healthy Homes Assessment Papakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Papakowhai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Papakowhai, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

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

Improving the standard of Papakowhai rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Papakowhai rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Papakowhai

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Papakowhai

Papakowhai rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Papakowhai

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Papakowhai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to the house to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Papakowhai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Papakowhai

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Papakowhai for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.