Healthy Homes Assessment Epuni

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 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 are required to 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Epuni, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Epuni rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Epuni

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Epuni

Rental properties in Epuni must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Epuni

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Epuni

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to the household to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Epuni Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Epuni

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Epuni include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Epuni for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.