Healthy Homes Assessment Pauatahanui

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? 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 rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Pauatahanui, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Pauatahanui rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Pauatahanui rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pauatahanui

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

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

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 and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Pauatahanui

Pauatahanui rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pauatahanui

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Pauatahanui

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier for the house to hold the 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 the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Pauatahanui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath 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 rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pauatahanui

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Pauatahanui include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pauatahanui for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.