Healthy Homes Assessment Pipitea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of 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 must be fully 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 will assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and 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 tasks must be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Pipitea, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Pipitea rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Pipitea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Pipitea

Pipitea rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 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 as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate 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 safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pipitea

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Pipitea

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

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

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent 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

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard 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 myriad of things to be able to examine during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home evaluation.