Healthy Homes Assessment Pakipaki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 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 renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’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 any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Pakipaki, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Pakipaki rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Pakipaki rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Pakipaki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pakipaki

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Pakipaki

Rental properties in Pakipaki must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pakipaki

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Pakipaki

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement 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 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pakipaki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pakipaki

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Pakipaki include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pakipaki for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.