Healthy Homes Assessment Pakipaki

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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Pakipaki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in 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 $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to assess 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, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Pakipaki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Pakipaki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and 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 assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Pakipaki, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Pakipaki rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Pakipaki rental properties.

Start now and call about the Pakipaki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pakipaki

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Pakipaki

Pakipaki rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix 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 are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Pakipaki

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the 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 be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Pakipaki

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier for the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pakipaki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pakipaki

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Pakipaki include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pakipaki for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.