Healthy Homes Assessment Epuni

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Epuni rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties 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 your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of 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 healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on an Epuni rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Epuni, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Epuni rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Epuni rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Epuni

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Epuni

Epuni rental properties require a reliable heating source 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 heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Epuni

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Epuni

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the home to keep the heat.

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

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

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Epuni Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard 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 myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.