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 of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Paremata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Paremata, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Paremata rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Paremata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Paremata

Paremata rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is 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 least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Paremata

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a 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.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Paremata

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paremata

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Paremata include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.