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? Landlords now have to 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 fully 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 determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards 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 $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Paremata, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Paremata rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured 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 and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Paremata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Paremata

Rental properties in Paremata should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Paremata

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Paremata

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the home to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 standard.

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Paremata include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.