Healthy Homes Assessment Pandora

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Pandora rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation 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 associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified for each of 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 brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pandora rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply 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 the property in New Zealand and Pandora, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Pandora rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Pandora rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving 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 damp home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Pandora

Pandora rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pandora

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Pandora

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to allow the home to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pandora Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pandora

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards 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 variety of concerns to look over in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.