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 the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Pipitea, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Pipitea rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Pipitea rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving 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 damp home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Pipitea

Pipitea rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the 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 needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pipitea

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Pipitea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to allow the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Pipitea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, 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 a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.