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 July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Epuni rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Epuni, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Epuni rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Epuni rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Epuni Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Epuni

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Epuni

Epuni rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it could require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Epuni

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that dried air can be much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. This 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 house

Insulation Epuni

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the house to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

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

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

Epuni Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the 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

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Epuni include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Epuni for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.