Healthy Homes Assessment Pauatahanui

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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Pauatahanui rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

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

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Pauatahanui, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Pauatahanui rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Pauatahanui rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pauatahanui

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Pauatahanui

Pauatahanui rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pauatahanui

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Pauatahanui

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pauatahanui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pauatahanui

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Pauatahanui include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pauatahanui for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• 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 solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.