Healthy Homes Assessment Epuni

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that 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 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate each of 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living 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.

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

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Epuni, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Epuni rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within 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 are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Epuni

Epuni rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Epuni

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Epuni

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with 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 more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Epuni Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Epuni

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard 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 things to check when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home assessment.