Healthy Homes Assessment Pinehaven

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Pinehaven rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified for 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pinehaven rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Pinehaven, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Pinehaven rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Pinehaven rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pinehaven

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A humid home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Pinehaven

Rental properties in Pinehaven require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pinehaven

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Pinehaven

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to allow the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pinehaven Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pinehaven

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Pinehaven include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pinehaven for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.