Healthy Homes Assessment Pinehaven

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Pinehaven rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Pinehaven rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Pinehaven, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

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

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on 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 may lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Pinehaven

Rental properties in Pinehaven need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it may need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pinehaven

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dried air can be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Pinehaven

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to allow the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist 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 – the remainder area of 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pinehaven Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pinehaven

The areas of rental property that are affected by 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 concerns you should look for during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.