Healthy Homes Assessment Pipitea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Pipitea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $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 the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Pipitea, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Pipitea rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Pipitea rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Pipitea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Pipitea

Rental properties in Pipitea must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Pipitea

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Pipitea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the household to retain the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of 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 quality.

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Pipitea

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Pipitea include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.