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? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Paparangi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified to assess each of 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of 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 homes in New Zealand and Paparangi, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Paparangi rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in 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 Draught-stopping on Paparangi rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paparangi

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Paparangi

Rental properties in Paparangi require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even on the 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 heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Paparangi

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Paparangi

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Paparangi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing 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 with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Paparangi include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paparangi for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in the house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.