Healthy Homes Assessment Pauatahanui

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Pauatahanui rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 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 check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the information needed 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 in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to assess 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Pauatahanui, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Pauatahanui rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Pauatahanui rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pauatahanui

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into your house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building as the household warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Pauatahanui

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

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Pauatahanui

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Pauatahanui

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pauatahanui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow 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, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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 with The Healthy Homes Standards in Pauatahanui include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pauatahanui for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.