Healthy Homes Assessment Papakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Papakowhai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to 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 6779

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 Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer 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 tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Papakowhai, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Papakowhai rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Papakowhai rental properties.

Start now and call about the Papakowhai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Papakowhai

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Papakowhai

Rental properties in Papakowhai should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Papakowhai

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Papakowhai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Papakowhai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Papakowhai

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Papakowhai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Papakowhai for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home assessment.