Healthy Homes Assessment Kelburn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Kelburn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully certified 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 whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed 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 to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kelburn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Kelburn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Kelburn, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the quality of Kelburn rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Kelburn rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Kelburn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelburn

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Kelburn

Rental properties in Kelburn should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kelburn

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Kelburn

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of 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, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kelburn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelburn

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Kelburn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelburn for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.