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 July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Kenepuru rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

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

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an house inspection 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?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Kenepuru rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Kenepuru rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Kenepuru

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

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kenepuru

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air is easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Kenepuru

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to allow the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your 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 to The Healthy Homes Standard in Kenepuru include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.