Healthy Homes Assessment Epuni

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Epuni rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Epuni, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective 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 well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Epuni rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Epuni rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Epuni

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Epuni

Rental properties in Epuni require a reliable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended 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 to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it could require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Epuni

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The 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.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Epuni

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Epuni Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Epuni

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Epuni include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Epuni for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in the home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.