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 of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Kenepuru rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely 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 tasks that requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete 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 under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified for 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy 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 before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Kenepuru rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not 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 need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kenepuru

Kenepuru rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kenepuru

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Kenepuru

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper 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 a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Kenepuru include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.