Healthy Homes Assessment Papakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Papakowhai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Papakowhai, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Papakowhai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Papakowhai

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional 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 structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Papakowhai

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

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Papakowhai

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Papakowhai

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to allow the home to hold 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 insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently 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 effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Papakowhai

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. 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 a myriad of concerns to check in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.