Healthy Homes Assessment Epuni

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Epuni rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully 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 assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of 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 associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Epuni, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Epuni rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Epuni rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting 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 draughty house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of the home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Epuni

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

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Epuni

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Epuni

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes much easier for the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Epuni Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing 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 Epuni

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Epuni include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Epuni for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.