Healthy Homes Assessment Papakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Papakowhai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are 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

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

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved 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 the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation 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?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Papakowhai, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Papakowhai rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Papakowhai rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Papakowhai

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements 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 hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Papakowhai

Rental properties in Papakowhai should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Papakowhai

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Papakowhai

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to allow the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Papakowhai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. 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

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Papakowhai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Papakowhai for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.