Healthy Homes Assessment Paremata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Paremata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Paremata, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Paremata rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Paremata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Paremata

Paremata rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Paremata

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Paremata

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paremata

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Paremata include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.