Healthy Homes Assessment Kenepuru

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under 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 associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to evaluate 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 tenancy is signed for a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much 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 significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Kenepuru rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Kenepuru rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Kenepuru Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A cold house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kenepuru

Rental properties in Kenepuru must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kenepuru

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Kenepuru

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier for the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Kenepuru include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.