Healthy Homes Assessment Kenepuru

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Kenepuru rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to evaluate each of 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who manage 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 could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Kenepuru rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control for Kenepuru rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Kenepuru Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kenepuru

Rental properties in Kenepuru should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent 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 are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Kenepuru

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our 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.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Kenepuru

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to allow the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The 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 through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Kenepuru include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home evaluation.