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 July 2021? Landlords must make sure that 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We can 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 of any work that needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised 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 and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Paremata, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Paremata rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Paremata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Paremata

Paremata rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Paremata

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Paremata

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to the home to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of 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

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

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paremata

The areas of rental property that are affected through Health Homes Standards. 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 numerous things to be able to examine in a house 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?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.