Healthy Homes Assessment Paparangi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Paparangi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals 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 will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect 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 the one who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and 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 wallet and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Paparangi, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Paparangi rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paparangi

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Paparangi

Paparangi rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC 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 as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Paparangi

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult 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 all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Paparangi

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet 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 withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Paparangi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paparangi

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paparangi for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.