Healthy Homes Assessment Pauatahanui

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 must ensure that their Pauatahanui rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Pauatahanui, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Pauatahanui rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Pauatahanui rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pauatahanui

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Pauatahanui

Rental properties in Pauatahanui must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pauatahanui

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Pauatahanui

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand 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 area of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Pauatahanui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pauatahanui

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Pauatahanui include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pauatahanui for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.