Healthy Homes Assessment Paparangi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Paparangi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined 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 large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Paparangi, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Paparangi rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Paparangi rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Paparangi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paparangi

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Paparangi

Rental properties in Paparangi must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Paparangi

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Paparangi

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Paparangi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and 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 end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

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

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Paparangi

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Paparangi include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paparangi for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.