Healthy Homes Assessment Kenepuru

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Kenepuru rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Kenepuru rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance 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, as well as Draught Control within Kenepuru rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Kenepuru Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kenepuru

Rental properties in Kenepuru must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate 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 to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it could need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kenepuru

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

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

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Kenepuru

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to allow the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Kenepuru include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.