Healthy Homes Assessment Pakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Pakowhai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals 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 evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done and offer the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

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 Pakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Pakowhai, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Pakowhai rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for 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, and Draught stopping for Pakowhai rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Pakowhai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pakowhai

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, 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 the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Pakowhai

Pakowhai rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Pakowhai

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Pakowhai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to allow the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

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

Pakowhai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pakowhai

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Pakowhai include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pakowhai for Rental Properties

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

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.