Healthy Homes Assessment Pauatahanui

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Pauatahanui rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Pauatahanui, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Pauatahanui rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

Contact us now to discuss the Pauatahanui Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pauatahanui

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Pauatahanui

Rental properties in Pauatahanui must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it might need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pauatahanui

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Pauatahanui

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to the household to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well 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 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pauatahanui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pauatahanui

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standards. 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 many 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. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.