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? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Pipitea, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Pipitea rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Pipitea rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Pipitea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Pipitea

Pipitea rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pipitea

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Pipitea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to the house to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pipitea

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.