Healthy Homes Assessment Pipitea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? 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 rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are 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, and are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Pipitea, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Pipitea rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in 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 can lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Pipitea

Rental properties in Pipitea need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Pipitea

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Pipitea

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to allow the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 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 standard.

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pipitea

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Pipitea include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.