Healthy Homes Assessment Epuni

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Epuni rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Epuni, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Epuni rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about the 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 humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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

Heating Epuni

Rental properties in Epuni need to have a stable heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Epuni

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Epuni

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to the house to keep warmth.

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

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

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Epuni Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Epuni

Rental property areas affected by the 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 many concerns you should look for when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.