Healthy Homes Assessment Pauatahanui

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Pauatahanui rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to assess each of 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Pauatahanui, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Pauatahanui rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Pauatahanui rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Pauatahanui Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pauatahanui

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or an opening that 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 of your house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Pauatahanui

Rental properties in Pauatahanui require a reliable heating source that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pauatahanui

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Pauatahanui

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pauatahanui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pauatahanui

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Pauatahanui include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pauatahanui for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.