Healthy Homes Assessment Pinehaven

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Pinehaven rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting 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 ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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 So Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Pinehaven, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Pinehaven rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Pinehaven rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Pinehaven Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pinehaven

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Pinehaven

Pinehaven rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Pinehaven

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Pinehaven

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier for the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of 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 inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually 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 in preventing 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

The areas of rental property that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Pinehaven include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pinehaven for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.