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 the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in 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. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

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

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Kenepuru rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Kenepuru rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most 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 that is, it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kenepuru

Rental properties in Kenepuru must have a fixed heating source which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Kenepuru

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Kenepuru

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task for the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with 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 high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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

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

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this 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 with the Healthy Homes Standard in Kenepuru include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.