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 ensure 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 rentals are required to be fully 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 requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Epuni, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Epuni rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Epuni rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving 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 households. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Epuni

Rental properties in Epuni need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during 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 source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Epuni

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening 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 a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces 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 house

Insulation Epuni

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Epuni Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the 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 by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Epuni include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Epuni for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.