Healthy Homes Assessment Epuni

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Epuni rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description 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 shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Epuni rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Epuni rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Epuni

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Epuni

Rental properties in Epuni should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Epuni

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Epuni

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to allow the home to hold the heat.

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

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

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

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

Epuni Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Epuni

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Epuni for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.