Healthy Homes Assessment Kenepuru

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Kenepuru rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed 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 in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Kenepuru rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Kenepuru rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Kenepuru Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Kenepuru

Kenepuru rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it could need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kenepuru

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Kenepuru

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the 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’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kenepuru

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standards in Kenepuru include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.