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 now have to ensure that their Pinehaven rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Pinehaven rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Pinehaven, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Pinehaven rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Pinehaven rental properties.

Start now and call about the Pinehaven Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pinehaven

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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

Heating Pinehaven

Pinehaven rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pinehaven

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Pinehaven

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pinehaven Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent 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

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Pinehaven include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pinehaven for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.