Healthy Homes Assessment Pauatahanui

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are 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

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

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Pauatahanui, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Pauatahanui rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Pauatahanui rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Pauatahanui Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pauatahanui

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from your house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Pauatahanui

Pauatahanui rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it may require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pauatahanui

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Pauatahanui

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy for the house to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Pauatahanui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is 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 into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pauatahanui

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Pauatahanui include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pauatahanui for Rental Properties

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

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient 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 with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.