Healthy Homes Assessment Pipitea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Pipitea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the information needed to complete 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 complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Pipitea, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Pipitea rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Pipitea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Pipitea

Rental properties in Pipitea need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it could require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pipitea

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Pipitea

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier for the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pipitea

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Pipitea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.