Healthy Homes Assessment Pandora

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Pandora rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Pandora rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Pandora, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Pandora rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Pandora rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Pandora

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Pandora

Pandora rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Pandora

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Pandora

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Pandora Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Pandora

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Pandora for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.