Healthy Homes Assessment Pauatahanui

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Pauatahanui rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be completed and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified to assess 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 Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Pauatahanui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Pauatahanui, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

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

Improve the standard of Pauatahanui rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Pauatahanui rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pauatahanui

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into the house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Pauatahanui

Rental properties in Pauatahanui require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pauatahanui

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Pauatahanui

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy to the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pauatahanui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pauatahanui

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pauatahanui for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.