Healthy Homes Assessment Pandora

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea 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 any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pandora rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Pandora rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

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

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Pandora, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Pandora rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Start now and call 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 houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Pandora

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

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it might require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pandora

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Pandora

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Pandora Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pandora

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Pandora include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pandora for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.