Healthy Homes Assessment Pinehaven

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Pinehaven rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pinehaven rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Pinehaven rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading 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 the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Pinehaven, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Pinehaven rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

Begin now by calling about getting a Pinehaven Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pinehaven

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Pinehaven

Pinehaven rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Pinehaven

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Pinehaven

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pinehaven Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pinehaven

The areas of rental property that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Pinehaven include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pinehaven for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.