Healthy Homes Assessment Kenepuru

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Kenepuru rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely 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 will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of 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 as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on 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 the property in New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Kenepuru rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Kenepuru rental properties.

Start now and call about the Kenepuru Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kenepuru

Rental properties in Kenepuru require a reliable heating source that can heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kenepuru

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Kenepuru

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well 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 rest part 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally 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 property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Kenepuru include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.