Healthy Homes Assessment Paremata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that 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 must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under 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 relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified for both 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 new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Paremata, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Paremata rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Paremata rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Paremata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Paremata

Paremata rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Paremata

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Paremata

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to allow the household to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able 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 water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. 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 numerous things to look over in an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.