Healthy Homes Assessment Pakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Pakowhai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Pakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Pakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Pakowhai, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Pakowhai rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Pakowhai rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Pakowhai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pakowhai

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Pakowhai

Rental properties in Pakowhai should have a permanent heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pakowhai

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Pakowhai

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes more easy for the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Pakowhai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of the 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 the Healthy Homes Standards in Pakowhai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pakowhai for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.