Healthy Homes Assessment Pinehaven

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and 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

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Pinehaven rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

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

It is important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Pinehaven, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Pinehaven rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Pinehaven rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pinehaven

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Pinehaven

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

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Pinehaven

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Pinehaven

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should 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 replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier for the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Pinehaven Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing 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

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Pinehaven include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pinehaven for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.