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 must make sure that their Pandora rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified 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 tenancy is signed for a Pandora rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Pandora rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a 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 are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Pandora, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Pandora rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Pandora rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Pandora Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pandora

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Pandora

Pandora rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Pandora

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Pandora

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier for the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor 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 quality.

Pandora Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the 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 through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Pandora include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pandora for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.