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 the start 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 can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Paremata, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Paremata rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Paremata

Rental properties in Paremata should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Paremata

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside and remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Paremata

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paremata

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Paremata include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.