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 that their Papakowhai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of 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 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as 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 should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Papakowhai, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Papakowhai rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

Start now and call about the Papakowhai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Papakowhai

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Papakowhai

Papakowhai rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Papakowhai

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Papakowhai

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the 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

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about 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 by the Healthy Homes Standard in Papakowhai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Papakowhai for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.