Healthy Homes Assessment Paremata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Paremata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant 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 to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Paremata, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Paremata rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Paremata rental properties.

Start now and call about the Paremata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Paremata

Paremata rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Paremata

Every living space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Paremata

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy for the household to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

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

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full 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 Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Paremata include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in an home evaluation to determine 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 covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.