Healthy Homes Assessment Pipitea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Pipitea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified for each of 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Pipitea, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Pipitea rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Pipitea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Pipitea

Pipitea rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile 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 needs to have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pipitea

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Pipitea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of 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 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Pipitea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.