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? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Paremata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

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

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Paremata, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Paremata rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control on Paremata rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Paremata

Rental properties in Paremata require a reliable source of heat that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current installed 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 acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Paremata

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Paremata

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task for the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paremata

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.