Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

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 ensure that their Kelson rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully 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 can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in 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 relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Kelson, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Kelson rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Kelson rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Kelson Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Kelson

Kelson rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Kelson

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Kelson

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Kelson include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.