Healthy Homes Assessment Paremata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Paremata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Paremata, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Paremata rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Paremata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Paremata

Paremata rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm 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 health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Paremata

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Paremata

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet 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 higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the 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 The Healthy Homes Standards in Paremata include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.