Healthy Homes Assessment Papakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Papakowhai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be 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 are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Papakowhai, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience 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, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Papakowhai rental properties.

Begin now by calling 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 less temperature in houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Papakowhai

Papakowhai rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Papakowhai

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high 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 mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make much easier for the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Papakowhai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

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

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Papakowhai

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Papakowhai include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Papakowhai for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home assessment.