Healthy Homes Assessment Paparangi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Paparangi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified 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 determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Paparangi, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Paparangi rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning 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, and Draught-stopping for Paparangi rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Paparangi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paparangi

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Paparangi

Rental properties in Paparangi need to have a stable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Paparangi

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Paparangi

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make it easier for the household to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Paparangi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paparangi

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Paparangi include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paparangi for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.