Healthy Homes Assessment Pakipaki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Pakipaki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate 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 tenancy is signed for a Pakipaki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Pakipaki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Pakipaki, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Pakipaki rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen 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 less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Pakipaki rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pakipaki

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Pakipaki

Pakipaki rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pakipaki

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Pakipaki

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pakipaki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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 with the Healthy Homes Standard in Pakipaki include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pakipaki for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.