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? Landlords must make sure that their Pinehaven rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Pinehaven rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Pinehaven, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Pinehaven rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pinehaven

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Pinehaven

Pinehaven rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pinehaven

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air is more easy to heat and 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 such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Pinehaven

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to allow the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, 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, underfloor R 1.3
• 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 water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pinehaven

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standard in Pinehaven include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pinehaven for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes 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 ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.