Healthy Homes Assessment Paremata

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Paremata rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required 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 who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess both 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, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on the Paremata rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Paremata, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Paremata rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Paremata rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Paremata Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paremata

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Paremata

Paremata rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Paremata

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Paremata

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to allow the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Paremata Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent 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 Paremata

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Paremata include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paremata for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.