Healthy Homes Assessment Pinehaven

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Pinehaven rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in 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. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pinehaven rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on the Pinehaven rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Pinehaven, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Pinehaven rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Pinehaven rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Pinehaven Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pinehaven

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

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

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Pinehaven

Rental properties in Pinehaven need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, 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 health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pinehaven

Each living space within a rental home must include at least 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 to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Pinehaven

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Pinehaven Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the property. 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 Pinehaven

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Pinehaven include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pinehaven for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during an house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.