Healthy Homes Assessment Paparangi

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 now have to make sure their Paparangi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Paparangi, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Paparangi rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Paparangi rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paparangi

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Paparangi

Rental properties in Paparangi require a reliable heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Paparangi

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented towards 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 for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Paparangi

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Paparangi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paparangi

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Paparangi include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paparangi for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.