Healthy Homes Assessment Paremata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Paremata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by 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 standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of 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 up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Paremata, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Paremata rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about receiving a Paremata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Paremata

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

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Paremata

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Paremata

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to allow the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paremata

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Paremata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.