Healthy Homes Assessment Pakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Pakowhai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, 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 correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Pakowhai, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Pakowhai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Pakowhai rental properties.

Start now and call about getting 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 costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Pakowhai

Rental properties in Pakowhai need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A 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. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Pakowhai

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Pakowhai

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make much easier for the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Pakowhai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps 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

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Pakowhai include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pakowhai for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.