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 July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Kelburn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kelburn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kelburn 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 by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Kelburn, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Kelburn rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Kelburn rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelburn

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kelburn

Rental properties in Kelburn should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. 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 source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kelburn

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Kelburn

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to allow the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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

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

Kelburn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelburn

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Kelburn include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelburn for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.