Healthy Homes Assessment Paremata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Paremata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to assess both 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 contract is signed on a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Paremata, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Paremata rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Paremata rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Paremata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Paremata

Paremata rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Paremata

Each living space within a rental house must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Paremata

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make much easier for the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paremata

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Paremata include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.