Healthy Homes Assessment Kenepuru

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure 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 are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in 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 healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Kenepuru rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for 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, as well Draught stopping on Kenepuru rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kenepuru

Rental properties in Kenepuru need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kenepuru

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Kenepuru

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

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

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

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 make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into 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 floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 with The Healthy Homes Standard in Kenepuru include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.