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 must make sure that their Paparangi rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified for each of 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Paparangi rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Paparangi, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

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

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Paparangi rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Paparangi Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Paparangi

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Paparangi

Rental properties in Paparangi require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Paparangi

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Paparangi

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Paparangi Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Paparangi include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Paparangi for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.