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 a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’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 any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the standard of Kenepuru rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Kenepuru rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from the house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Kenepuru

Kenepuru rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. 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 heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require 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 to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might just require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kenepuru

Every living space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Kenepuru

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make much easier for the house to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about 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 with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Kenepuru include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.