Healthy Homes Assessment Pakowhai

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pakowhai rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Pakowhai, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Pakowhai rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss the Pakowhai Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pakowhai

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Pakowhai

Pakowhai rental properties require a reliable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it needs to have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pakowhai

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our 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.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Pakowhai

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists 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 of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pakowhai Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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 to Healthy Homes Standard. 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 to look over in an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.