Healthy Homes Assessment Pipitea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have 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 are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess 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 tasks must be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to be aware that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Pipitea, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Pipitea rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Pipitea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Pipitea

Rental properties in Pipitea should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it might just require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Pipitea

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Pipitea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier to the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the 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 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pipitea

The areas of rental property that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Pipitea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.