Healthy Homes Assessment Papakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know 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 any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties 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 evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with 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 as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Papakowhai, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Papakowhai rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Papakowhai rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Papakowhai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Papakowhai

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Papakowhai

Rental properties in Papakowhai should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the main or largest 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 health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Papakowhai

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Papakowhai

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to allow the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists 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 part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Papakowhai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s 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 accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Papakowhai

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Papakowhai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Papakowhai for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.