Healthy Homes Assessment Papakowhai

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Papakowhai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

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

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Papakowhai, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Papakowhai rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Papakowhai rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Papakowhai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Draught Stopping Papakowhai

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Papakowhai

Papakowhai rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Papakowhai

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

Insulation Papakowhai

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

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

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Papakowhai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate 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 an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Rental Property Home Assessments Papakowhai

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Papakowhai include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Home Assessments Papakowhai for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.