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 make sure their Paremata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be completed, 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 of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified for each of 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet 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 today and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Paremata, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Paremata rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Paremata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Paremata

Paremata rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Paremata

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air will be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Paremata

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Paremata include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.