Healthy Homes Assessment Pauatahanui

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 Pauatahanui rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Pauatahanui, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Pauatahanui rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Pauatahanui rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Pauatahanui Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pauatahanui

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Pauatahanui

Pauatahanui rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pauatahanui

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Pauatahanui

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets the 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 well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to allow the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pauatahanui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. 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 standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pauatahanui

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pauatahanui for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.