Healthy Homes Assessment Paremata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Paremata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $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 bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Paremata, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Paremata rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. 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 listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Paremata rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Paremata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Paremata

Rental properties in Paremata need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Paremata

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Paremata

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make it easier for the home to keep 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 insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paremata

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Paremata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.