Healthy Homes Assessment Pakipaki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that 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 are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Pakipaki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Pakipaki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Pakipaki, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Pakipaki rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Pakipaki rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Pakipaki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pakipaki

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Pakipaki

Rental properties in Pakipaki should have a permanent heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it may require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Pakipaki

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Pakipaki

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to allow the home to hold warmth.

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

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

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

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

Pakipaki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pakipaki

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standard in Pakipaki include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pakipaki for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in a home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.