Healthy Homes Assessment Paremata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Paremata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of 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 $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Paremata, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Paremata rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Paremata rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Paremata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Paremata

Rental properties in Paremata require a reliable heating source that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 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 well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Paremata

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Paremata

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 Paremata

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Paremata include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.