Healthy Homes Assessment Pinehaven

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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Pinehaven rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are 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. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with 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 healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Pinehaven rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Pinehaven rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property 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 when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Pinehaven, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Pinehaven rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Pinehaven rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Pinehaven Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pinehaven

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Pinehaven

Pinehaven rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pinehaven

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Pinehaven

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task for the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pinehaven Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pinehaven

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pinehaven for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.