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? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with 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 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 completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people 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 will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Start now and call about the Kenepuru Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Kenepuru

Rental properties in Kenepuru must have a fixed heating source which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kenepuru

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Kenepuru

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Kenepuru include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.