Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Kelson, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Kelson rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Kelson rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Kelson Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Kelson

Rental properties in Kelson require a reliable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Kelson

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands 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 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Kelson 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 ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to 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 Kelson

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Kelson include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.