Healthy Homes Assessment Pinehaven

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Pinehaven rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in 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 healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Pinehaven rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Pinehaven rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Pinehaven, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Pinehaven rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Pinehaven rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Pinehaven Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pinehaven

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Pinehaven

Rental properties in Pinehaven require a reliable source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Pinehaven

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Pinehaven

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to allow the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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.

Pinehaven Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the 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 a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists 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 Pinehaven

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Pinehaven include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pinehaven for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.