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 July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Paremata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Paremata, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Paremata rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Paremata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Paremata

Rental properties in Paremata should have a permanent heating source that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it might just need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Paremata

Every living space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Paremata

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor 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 standard.

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paremata

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Paremata include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.