Healthy Homes Assessment Pakipaki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Pakipaki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties 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 will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’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 any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are 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

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

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

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

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Pakipaki, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the quality of Pakipaki rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Pakipaki rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Pakipaki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pakipaki

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Pakipaki

Pakipaki rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to include a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pakipaki

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Pakipaki

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier for the house to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Pakipaki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pakipaki

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pakipaki for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.