Healthy Homes Assessment Kelburn

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 are now required to make sure that their Kelburn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas 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 whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kelburn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Kelburn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Kelburn, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Kelburn rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Kelburn rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelburn

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Kelburn

Kelburn rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, 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 well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Kelburn

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Kelburn

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kelburn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The 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 with the Healthy Homes Standards in Kelburn include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelburn for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough 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 an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.