Healthy Homes Assessment Kenepuru

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Kenepuru rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. 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 to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine 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 responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Kenepuru rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Kenepuru rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A humid home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Kenepuru

Kenepuru rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kenepuru

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Kenepuru

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements 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 can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kenepuru

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.