Healthy Homes Assessment Epuni

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Epuni rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for 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 contract is signed on an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Epuni, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Epuni rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Epuni rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Epuni

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Epuni

Epuni rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Epuni

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Epuni

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the household to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Epuni Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 to The Healthy Homes Standards in Epuni include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Epuni for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.