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 are now required to ensure their Paremata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a 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 your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on the Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Paremata, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Paremata rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also 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 listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Paremata rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Paremata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A damp house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the 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 windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Paremata

Paremata rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like 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 requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Paremata

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Paremata

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during an house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.