Healthy Homes Assessment Pandora

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that 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 rentals must be fully 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 check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Pandora rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Pandora rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive 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 misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Pandora, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Pandora rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Pandora rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Pandora Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pandora

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Pandora

Pandora rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Pandora

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Pandora

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier for the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

Pandora Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pandora

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pandora for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.