Healthy Homes Assessment Pipitea

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? Landlords must ensure their Pipitea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified to evaluate 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Pipitea rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Pipitea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Pipitea

Rental properties in Pipitea require a reliable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter 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 heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should have the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pipitea

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Pipitea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pipitea

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Pipitea include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.