Healthy Homes Assessment Pauatahanui

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Pauatahanui rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any 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 can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified for each of 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a 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 inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Pauatahanui, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Pauatahanui rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss having a Pauatahanui Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pauatahanui

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Pauatahanui

Rental properties in Pauatahanui require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it could require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pauatahanui

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Pauatahanui

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task for the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pauatahanui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pauatahanui

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Pauatahanui include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pauatahanui for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.