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 July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Pipitea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be done, and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under 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 $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $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, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Pipitea, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often 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 disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs 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, as well Draught Control in Pipitea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Pipitea

Pipitea rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require 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 acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pipitea

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Pipitea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to allow the house to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

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 Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.