Healthy Homes Assessment Pipitea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Pipitea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information 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 information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Pipitea, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

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

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Pipitea rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Pipitea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Pipitea

Rental properties in Pipitea require a reliable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to include the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pipitea

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Pipitea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with 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 require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to allow the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Pipitea include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.