Healthy Homes Assessment Epuni

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and 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 any tasks required. requirements to be done and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Epuni, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Epuni rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Epuni rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Epuni

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Epuni

Epuni rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the largest or main 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 and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing 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 mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Epuni

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air is easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Epuni

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Epuni Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this 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 Standard in Epuni include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• 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 during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.