Healthy Homes Assessment Pandora

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Pandora rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Pandora, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Pandora rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pandora

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the house warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Pandora

Rental properties in Pandora need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pandora

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Pandora

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 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 - 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 water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pandora

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Pandora include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pandora for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.