Healthy Homes Assessment Paremata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Paremata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who own 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 at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request a home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Paremata, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Paremata rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on 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 can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Paremata

Rental properties in Paremata need to have a stable heating source which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Paremata

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Paremata

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to the household to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

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

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

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paremata

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Paremata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

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

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.