Healthy Homes Assessment Pauatahanui

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

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

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an home assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Pauatahanui, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Pauatahanui rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pauatahanui

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Pauatahanui

Rental properties in Pauatahanui need to have a stable heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pauatahanui

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay 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, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Pauatahanui

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to the household to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pauatahanui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pauatahanui

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Pauatahanui include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pauatahanui for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.