Healthy Homes Assessment Pandora

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Pandora rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Pandora rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Pandora, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Pandora rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Pandora rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Pandora Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pandora

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps 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 isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Pandora

Pandora rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it may require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Pandora

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Pandora

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Pandora Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Pandora include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pandora for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.