Healthy Homes Assessment Paparangi

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? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Paparangi 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 fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate each of 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

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

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Paparangi, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Paparangi rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Start now and call about the Paparangi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paparangi

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Paparangi

Paparangi rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Paparangi

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Paparangi

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the house to keep 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 higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Paparangi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paparangi

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Paparangi include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paparangi for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.