Healthy Homes Assessment Pauatahanui

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Pauatahanui rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified to evaluate both 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Pauatahanui, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Pauatahanui rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Pauatahanui rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pauatahanui

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the household warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Pauatahanui

Pauatahanui rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pauatahanui

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Pauatahanui

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pauatahanui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 Pauatahanui

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Pauatahanui include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pauatahanui for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.