Healthy Homes Assessment Paremata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Paremata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we are 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Paremata, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Paremata rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Paremata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Paremata

Rental properties in Paremata need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Paremata

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air is less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Paremata

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paremata

Property rental areas that are affected with The 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 a myriad of things to look over during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.