Healthy Homes Assessment Kenepuru

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Kenepuru rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to evaluate each of 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Kenepuru rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Kenepuru rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Kenepuru Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Kenepuru

Rental properties in Kenepuru should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kenepuru

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Kenepuru

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this 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 to The Healthy Homes Standards in Kenepuru include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.