Healthy Homes Assessment Pipitea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under 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 associated fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation 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 the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Pipitea, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Pipitea rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Pipitea rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Pipitea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Pipitea

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

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pipitea

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding how dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Pipitea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy for the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pipitea

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during the home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• 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 falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.