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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’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 connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Pipitea rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Pipitea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Pipitea

Pipitea rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pipitea

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Pipitea

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to the house to retain heat.

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 insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the things you don’t notice 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 be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 The Healthy Homes Standard in Pipitea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.