Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must 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 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Kelson, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Kelson rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Kelson rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kelson

Rental properties in Kelson need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the living room to at least 18degC, even on the 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 requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Kelson

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for 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 high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. 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

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.