Healthy Homes Assessment Epuni

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Epuni rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess 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 will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Epuni, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Epuni rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Epuni rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Epuni Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Epuni

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means 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 are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Epuni

Epuni rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Epuni

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Epuni

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the home to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Epuni Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Epuni

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Epuni include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Epuni for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.