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 must ensure that their Pipitea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to evaluate 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 tenancy is signed on a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Pipitea, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Pipitea rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Pipitea

Rental properties in Pipitea require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pipitea

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Pipitea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

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

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pipitea

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Pipitea include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.