Healthy Homes Assessment Pipitea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Pipitea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to assess 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Pipitea, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Pipitea rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Begin now by calling about having a Pipitea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within the home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Pipitea

Rental properties in Pipitea should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Pipitea

Each living space within a rental house must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Pipitea

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to allow the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pipitea

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Pipitea include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.