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 must ensure their Kenepuru rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Kenepuru rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Kenepuru rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Kenepuru Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kenepuru

Kenepuru rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kenepuru

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Kenepuru

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater 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 – the rest of the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 Health Homes Standard. 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 numerous concerns to look over during a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.