Healthy Homes Assessment Kelburn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Kelburn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate 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 about the work which needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Kelburn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kelburn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Kelburn, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Kelburn rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Kelburn rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Kelburn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelburn

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Kelburn

Rental properties in Kelburn need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Kelburn

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Kelburn

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required 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 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kelburn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelburn

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. 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 variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.