Healthy Homes Assessment Pipitea

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? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Pipitea 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 completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Pipitea, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Pipitea rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Pipitea rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Pipitea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Pipitea

Rental properties in Pipitea require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pipitea

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Pipitea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to allow the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pipitea

The areas of rental property that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Pipitea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties home assessment.