Healthy Homes Assessment Kenepuru

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Kenepuru rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 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 and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation 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 related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Kenepuru rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are 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 now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the home warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Kenepuru

Rental properties in Kenepuru require a reliable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and 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 fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it could require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kenepuru

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Kenepuru

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task for the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps 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

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Kenepuru include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• 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 on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.