Healthy Homes Assessment Paparangi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Paparangi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for 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 under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

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 Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Paparangi, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Paparangi rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Paparangi rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paparangi

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Paparangi

Rental properties in Paparangi require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have 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 sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might just need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Paparangi

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Paparangi

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

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

Paparangi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paparangi

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Paparangi include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paparangi for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.