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 ensure their Paremata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

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

It is important to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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 so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Paremata, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Paremata rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. 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 Standards are 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.

Get started now and contact us about receiving 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 draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Paremata

Rental properties in Paremata should have a permanent heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Paremata

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. 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.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Paremata

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paremata

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standards in Paremata include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.