Healthy Homes Assessment Pandora

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Pandora rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the 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 deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

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

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an 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 important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Pandora, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Pandora rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Pandora rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Pandora Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pandora

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Pandora

Rental properties in Pandora must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pandora

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Pandora

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the household to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Pandora Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pandora

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pandora for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.