Healthy Homes Assessment Papakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Papakowhai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting 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 Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Papakowhai, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Papakowhai rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control within Papakowhai rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Papakowhai

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Papakowhai

Rental properties in Papakowhai should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, 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 wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Papakowhai

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able of opening 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 area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Papakowhai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to allow the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Papakowhai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Papakowhai

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Papakowhai for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.