Healthy Homes Assessment Epuni

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Epuni rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must 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 will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

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

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Epuni, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Epuni rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Epuni rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Epuni Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Draught Stopping Epuni

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Heating Epuni

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

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fixed 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 small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Epuni

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

Insulation Epuni

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Rental Property Home Assessments Epuni

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

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

Home Assessments Epuni for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home assessment.