Healthy Homes Assessment Paremata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of 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 $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Paremata, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Paremata rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control on 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 may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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 are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Paremata

Paremata rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Paremata

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Paremata

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands 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 remainder area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s 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 present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paremata

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Paremata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.