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 now have to ensure their Pauatahanui rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

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

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Pauatahanui, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Pauatahanui rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pauatahanui

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Pauatahanui

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

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Pauatahanui

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Pauatahanui

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 underfloor 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

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

Pauatahanui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pauatahanui

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Pauatahanui include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pauatahanui for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.