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? Landlords must make sure that their Pinehaven rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pinehaven rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Pinehaven, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Pinehaven rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Pinehaven rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Pinehaven Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pinehaven

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A humid home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Pinehaven

Rental properties in Pinehaven require a reliable source of heating which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pinehaven

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Pinehaven

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy for the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to 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 those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pinehaven

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pinehaven for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.