Healthy Homes Assessment Pakipaki

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 are now required to ensure that their Pakipaki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. 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 to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Pakipaki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Pakipaki rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Pakipaki rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Pakipaki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pakipaki

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in an 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 Pakipaki

Rental properties in Pakipaki need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Pakipaki

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Pakipaki

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task for the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pakipaki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pakipaki

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Pakipaki include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pakipaki for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during the home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.