Healthy Homes Assessment Kelburn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Kelburn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will 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 the tasks required. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill 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 up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

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 a Kelburn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Kelburn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine 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 liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details 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 in New Zealand and Kelburn, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Kelburn rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Kelburn rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Kelburn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelburn

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kelburn

Rental properties in Kelburn must have a fixed heating source which can warm the largest or main living space 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 wellbeing.

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

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kelburn

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Kelburn

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Kelburn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have 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 the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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 Kelburn

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Kelburn include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelburn for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.