Healthy Homes Assessment Pipitea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Pipitea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to evaluate both 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Pipitea, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Pipitea rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Pipitea rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Pipitea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Pipitea

Rental properties in Pipitea should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it could need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pipitea

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Pipitea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher 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 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

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
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.