Healthy Homes Assessment Epuni

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is 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 needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Epuni, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Epuni rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

Get started now and contact us about having a Epuni Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Epuni

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Epuni

Rental properties in Epuni must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Epuni

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Epuni

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the household to keep 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 resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Epuni Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing 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 Epuni

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Epuni for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property home assessment.