Healthy Homes Assessment Papakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Papakowhai 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 in compliance by July 1st 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation 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 breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet 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 currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Papakowhai, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Papakowhai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Papakowhai rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Papakowhai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Papakowhai

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Papakowhai

Rental properties in Papakowhai need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Papakowhai

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dried air can be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Papakowhai

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier for the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Papakowhai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 Papakowhai

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Papakowhai for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.