Healthy Homes Assessment Paremata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Paremata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified for each of 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing 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 up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Paremata, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Paremata rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Paremata rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Paremata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Paremata

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

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Paremata

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Paremata

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for 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 – 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paremata

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standards in Paremata include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check during an house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.