Healthy Homes Assessment Kenepuru

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

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

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

We can 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 about the tasks required. needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home 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?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Kenepuru rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kenepuru

Kenepuru rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Kenepuru

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Kenepuru

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kenepuru

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard 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 things to check when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• 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 falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property home assessment.