Healthy Homes Assessment Kenepuru

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure 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 rental properties must be completely 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 assess 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 assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Kenepuru rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Kenepuru rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Kenepuru

Rental properties in Kenepuru require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kenepuru

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Kenepuru

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kenepuru

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Kenepuru include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.