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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Pauatahanui rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. 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.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of 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 associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to assess both 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may 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 required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $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 wallet and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Pauatahanui, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Pauatahanui rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Pauatahanui rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pauatahanui

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Pauatahanui

Rental properties in Pauatahanui need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pauatahanui

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Pauatahanui

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to allow the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pauatahanui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Pauatahanui include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pauatahanui for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine in an house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.