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 ensure their Kenepuru rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information 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 may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Kenepuru rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss the Kenepuru Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kenepuru

Rental properties in Kenepuru must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. 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 source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kenepuru

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Kenepuru

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to allow the household to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Kenepuru include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.