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 must ensure their Pipitea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to 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. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to assess both 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to remember that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Pipitea, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Pipitea rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Pipitea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is most likely 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 into the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect 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.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Pipitea

Pipitea rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pipitea

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Pipitea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to allow the household to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pipitea

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Pipitea include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.