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 their Kelson rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties 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 will evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Kelson, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Kelson rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Kelson rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Kelson

Kelson rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it may require a top up 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 or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kelson

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Kelson

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier for the home to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those things 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 health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelson

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Kelson include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.