Healthy Homes Assessment Papakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required 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 rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Papakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Papakowhai, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Papakowhai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Papakowhai rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Papakowhai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Papakowhai

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could 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 sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Papakowhai

Papakowhai rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Papakowhai

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Papakowhai

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

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

Papakowhai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Papakowhai

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Papakowhai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Papakowhai for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.