Healthy Homes Assessment Pipitea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Pipitea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in 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 associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Pipitea, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Pipitea rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Pipitea rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Pipitea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Pipitea

Rental properties in Pipitea require a reliable source of heating that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Pipitea

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air is more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Pipitea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to allow the household to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior 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 inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pipitea

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Pipitea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• 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 the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.