Healthy Homes Assessment Pipitea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to 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 fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the details 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 who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Pipitea, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Pipitea rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Pipitea rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Pipitea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Pipitea

Rental properties in Pipitea must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pipitea

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Pipitea

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 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 what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your 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

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Pipitea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.