Healthy Homes Assessment Epuni

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 are now required to make sure that their Epuni rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Epuni, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Epuni rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Epuni rental properties.

Start now and call about the Epuni Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Epuni

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Epuni

Rental properties in Epuni need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it may require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Epuni

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Epuni

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Epuni Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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 Epuni

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standards in Epuni include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Epuni for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.