Healthy Homes Assessment Paremata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? 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 completely certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in 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 up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified for both 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a home assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Paremata, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Paremata rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Paremata rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Paremata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Paremata

Rental properties in Paremata should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Paremata

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Paremata

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs 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 greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting 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 quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paremata

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Paremata include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.