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 now have to make sure that 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 must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of 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 the property in New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Kenepuru rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Kenepuru rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold home costs more to heat, which means 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 closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Kenepuru

Kenepuru rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current 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 the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kenepuru

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Kenepuru

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes more easy for the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kenepuru

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.