Healthy Homes Assessment Pakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Pakowhai rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Pakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Pakowhai, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Pakowhai rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Pakowhai rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Pakowhai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pakowhai

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Pakowhai

Pakowhai rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pakowhai

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Pakowhai

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pakowhai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pakowhai

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standards in Pakowhai include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pakowhai for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.