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? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 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 whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. 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 in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Pandora rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Pandora, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Pandora rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Begin now by calling about the Pandora Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pandora

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into your house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Pandora

Pandora rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Pandora

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Pandora

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier for the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Pandora Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface 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 making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, 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 from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pandora

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The 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 things to check in an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

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

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.