Healthy Homes Assessment Pinehaven

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Pinehaven rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under 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 healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Pinehaven rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Pinehaven rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Pinehaven, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Pinehaven rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Start now and call about having a Pinehaven Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pinehaven

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Pinehaven

Rental properties in Pinehaven must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC 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 well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it could need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pinehaven

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Pinehaven

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task for the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pinehaven Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pinehaven

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Pinehaven include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pinehaven for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.