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 that their Pinehaven rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Pinehaven rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new 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 reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Pinehaven, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Pinehaven rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical 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 , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Pinehaven rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Pinehaven Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pinehaven

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house costs more 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 needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Pinehaven

Pinehaven rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it could need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pinehaven

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Pinehaven

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier for the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs 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 rest part of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Pinehaven Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps 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 Pinehaven

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Pinehaven include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pinehaven for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• 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 have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.