Healthy Homes Assessment Pinehaven

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the 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 renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Pinehaven rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Pinehaven rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $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 to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Pinehaven, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Pinehaven rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance 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 within Pinehaven rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Pinehaven Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pinehaven

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Pinehaven

Rental properties in Pinehaven require a reliable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pinehaven

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Pinehaven

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to allow the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

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

Pinehaven Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this 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 Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Pinehaven include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pinehaven for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including 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 solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.