Healthy Homes Assessment Paparangi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Paparangi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Paparangi, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Paparangi rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

Start now and call about having a Paparangi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paparangi

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Paparangi

Paparangi rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Paparangi

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Paparangi

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the home to keep warmth.

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

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 - 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Paparangi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paparangi

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standards in Paparangi include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paparangi for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.