Healthy Homes Assessment Kenepuru

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Kenepuru rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in 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 $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Kenepuru rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Kenepuru rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Kenepuru Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A damp home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Kenepuru

Kenepuru rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kenepuru

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that dried air can be easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Kenepuru

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the home to hold the heat.

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 the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kenepuru

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.