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 must make sure their Paremata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 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 determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. 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 meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Paremata, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Paremata rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Paremata

Paremata rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Paremata

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Paremata

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 and 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 moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.