Healthy Homes Assessment Paparangi

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Paparangi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in 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 standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property 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 correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Paparangi, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Paparangi rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Paparangi rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Paparangi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Draught Stopping Paparangi

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A draughty house will cost 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 the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Paparangi

Rental properties in Paparangi need to have a stable heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Paparangi

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

Insulation Paparangi

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to allow the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

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

Paparangi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, 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, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Rental Property Home Assessments Paparangi

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Paparangi include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Home Assessments Paparangi for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.