Healthy Homes Assessment Paparangi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Paparangi, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Paparangi rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Paparangi rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Paparangi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paparangi

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Paparangi

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

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Paparangi

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. This 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 areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Paparangi

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Paparangi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 by The Healthy Homes Standards in Paparangi include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paparangi for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.