Healthy Homes Assessment Kenepuru

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified for 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Kenepuru rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Kenepuru rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Kenepuru Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kenepuru

Kenepuru rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kenepuru

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Kenepuru

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that 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.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kenepuru

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Kenepuru include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and 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?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.