Healthy Homes Assessment Pipitea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Pipitea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Pipitea, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Pipitea rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Pipitea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Pipitea

Pipitea rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pipitea

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Pipitea

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy for the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist 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 remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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 Pipitea

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Pipitea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.