Healthy Homes Assessment Epuni

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Epuni rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Epuni, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Epuni rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Epuni rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Epuni Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Epuni

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Epuni

Epuni rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Epuni

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Epuni

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task for the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of 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 underfloor 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Epuni Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Epuni

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Epuni include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Epuni for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in an house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.