Healthy Homes Assessment Pauatahanui

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Pauatahanui rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Pauatahanui, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Pauatahanui rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs 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 as Draught Control for Pauatahanui rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the 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 can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Pauatahanui

Rental properties in Pauatahanui must have a fixed heating source that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during 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 and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pauatahanui

Each living space within a rental house must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Pauatahanui

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pauatahanui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 Standard in Pauatahanui include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pauatahanui for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.