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 of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Pauatahanui rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Pauatahanui, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Pauatahanui rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping 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 may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Pauatahanui

Rental properties in Pauatahanui need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pauatahanui

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Pauatahanui

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier for the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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

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

Pauatahanui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pauatahanui

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Pauatahanui include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pauatahanui for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.