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 are now required to ensure that their Kenepuru rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kenepuru rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Kenepuru, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Kenepuru rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Start now and call about getting a Kenepuru Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kenepuru

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Kenepuru

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

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed 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 to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it could require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kenepuru

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Kenepuru

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task for the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kenepuru Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kenepuru for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.