Healthy Homes Assessment Pipitea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Pipitea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified for 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 brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed 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 home they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Pipitea, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Pipitea rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Pipitea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Pipitea

Rental properties in Pipitea require a reliable source of heat that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pipitea

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Pipitea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to allow the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 quality.

Pipitea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this 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 the Healthy Homes Standard in Pipitea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.