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? Landlords must ensure that their Pauatahanui rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified for each of 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Pauatahanui, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Pauatahanui rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about having a Pauatahanui Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pauatahanui

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Pauatahanui

Rental properties in Pauatahanui must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pauatahanui

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Pauatahanui

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make more easy for the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the 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

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The 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
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pauatahanui for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.