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 are now required to ensure that their Epuni rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed and provide a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Epuni, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Epuni rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on 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 may lead to less temperature in houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Epuni

Epuni rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Epuni

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Epuni

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to allow the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Epuni Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps 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

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Epuni include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Epuni for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.