Healthy Homes Assessment Paremata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? 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 rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 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 whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with 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 $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified 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 tenancy is signed on a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details 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 from New Zealand and Paremata, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Paremata rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Paremata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Paremata

Rental properties in Paremata require a reliable source of heating that can heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Paremata

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Paremata

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy for the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

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

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full 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 through The Healthy Homes Standard in Paremata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.