Healthy Homes Assessment Kenepuru

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re 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

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside 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 revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the standard of Kenepuru rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Kenepuru rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Kenepuru Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kenepuru

Kenepuru rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kenepuru

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Kenepuru

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to allow the house to hold heat.

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

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

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

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

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kenepuru

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Kenepuru include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.