Healthy Homes Assessment Pandora

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed and provide a 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 breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Pandora rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Pandora rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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 Pandora, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Pandora rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Pandora rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Pandora Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pandora

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Pandora

Pandora rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pandora

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Pandora

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task for the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pandora Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pandora

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Pandora include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pandora for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.