Healthy Homes Assessment Paparangi

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that 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 meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of 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 healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Paparangi, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Paparangi rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Paparangi rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paparangi

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Paparangi

Rental properties in Paparangi must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it could need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Paparangi

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

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

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Paparangi

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task for the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Paparangi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Paparangi include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paparangi for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

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