Healthy Homes Assessment Paparangi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Paparangi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under 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 $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Paparangi, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Paparangi rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Paparangi rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Paparangi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paparangi

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most 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 or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Paparangi

Rental properties in Paparangi must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Paparangi

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Paparangi

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making much easier for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs 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 insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

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

Paparangi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing 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 Paparangi

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Paparangi include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paparangi for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• 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 getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.