Healthy Homes Assessment Pakipaki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure 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 rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Pakipaki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Pakipaki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Pakipaki, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Pakipaki rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control within Pakipaki rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pakipaki

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

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Pakipaki

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

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pakipaki

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Pakipaki

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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

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

Pakipaki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pakipaki

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Pakipaki include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pakipaki for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.