Healthy Homes Assessment Pipitea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Pipitea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified 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 contract is signed on a Pipitea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

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

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Pipitea, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Pipitea rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Pipitea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pipitea

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Pipitea

Pipitea rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pipitea

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air is easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Pipitea

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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

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 but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

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

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pipitea

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Pipitea include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pipitea for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.