Healthy Homes Assessment Pipitea

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 make sure their Pipitea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified for 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Pipitea, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Pipitea rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Pipitea

Pipitea rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Pipitea

Each living space within a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Pipitea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• 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 quality.

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s 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 rising into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Pipitea

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Pipitea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine in an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.