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 July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Pipitea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed on 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 so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Pipitea, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Pipitea rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Pipitea rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting 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 draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Pipitea

Pipitea rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pipitea

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Pipitea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make more easy for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part 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 the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pipitea

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standard in Pipitea include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are many things to check during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• 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 replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.