Healthy Homes Assessment Pandora

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Pandora rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start 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 will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Pandora rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Pandora, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Pandora rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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 within Pandora rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Pandora Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pandora

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Pandora

Pandora rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems 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 might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Pandora

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Pandora

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the home to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pandora 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 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 what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pandora

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Pandora include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pandora for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.