Healthy Homes Assessment Pakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required 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 rentals 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 evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate 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 tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Pakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised 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 with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Pakowhai, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Pakowhai rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Pakowhai rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pakowhai

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Pakowhai

Pakowhai rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 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 well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pakowhai

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dried air can be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. 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.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Pakowhai

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to the household to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the 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 it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pakowhai

The areas of rental property that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Pakowhai include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pakowhai for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.