Healthy Homes Assessment Epuni

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Epuni rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Epuni, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Epuni rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Epuni rental properties.

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

Draught Stopping Epuni

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Epuni

Epuni rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors 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) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Epuni

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

Insulation Epuni

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 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 water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Rental Property Home Assessments Epuni

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Home Assessments Epuni for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.