Healthy Homes Assessment Paremata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 rentals are required to be fully 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 assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified to assess 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure 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. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Paremata rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Start now and call about getting a Paremata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Paremata

Paremata rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Paremata

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Paremata

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making much easier for the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the 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 with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Paremata include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.