Healthy Homes Assessment Pakipaki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Pakipaki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done, and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

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

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Pakipaki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Pakipaki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 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 currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $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 with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Pakipaki, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Pakipaki rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Pakipaki rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Pakipaki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pakipaki

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Pakipaki

Rental properties in Pakipaki must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest 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) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pakipaki

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Pakipaki

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• 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 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.

Pakipaki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pakipaki

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Pakipaki include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pakipaki for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including 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 the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.