Healthy Homes Assessment Paremata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have 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 must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. 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 comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Paremata, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Paremata rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Start now and call about having 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 houses. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Paremata

Rental properties in Paremata must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating 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 if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Paremata

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Paremata

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make it easier for the home to keep heat.

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 gauge of how well insulation resists 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 of the 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standard in Paremata include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.