Healthy Homes Assessment Papakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Papakowhai, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Papakowhai rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Papakowhai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Papakowhai

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Papakowhai

Papakowhai rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Papakowhai

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another 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 air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Papakowhai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes much easier for the house to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Papakowhai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the 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 through The Healthy Homes Standard in Papakowhai include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Papakowhai for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.