Healthy Homes Assessment Paremata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Paremata 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 fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Paremata, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Paremata rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Paremata rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Paremata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into your house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Paremata

Rental properties in Paremata must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it might need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Paremata

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Paremata

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make much easier for the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paremata

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Paremata include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.