Healthy Homes Assessment Paremata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Paremata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant 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 determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be completed, 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 in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified for 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 items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Paremata, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Paremata rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Paremata rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Paremata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Paremata

Paremata rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Paremata

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space 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 dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Paremata

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

Learn more 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 It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paremata

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Paremata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, 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 the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.