Healthy Homes Assessment Kenepuru

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure 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 requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in 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 healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified for both 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Kenepuru rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Kenepuru rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid house is more expensive 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 the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Kenepuru

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

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kenepuru

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Kenepuru

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

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

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 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 interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kenepuru

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Kenepuru include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.