Healthy Homes Assessment Papakowhai

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Papakowhai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely 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 to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised 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 reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Papakowhai, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Papakowhai rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Papakowhai rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Papakowhai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Draught Stopping Papakowhai

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Papakowhai

Rental properties in Papakowhai should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Papakowhai

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding how dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

Insulation Papakowhai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make more easy for the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Papakowhai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Rental Property Home Assessments Papakowhai

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Home Assessments Papakowhai for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.