Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a home assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Kelson, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Kelson rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Kelson rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Kelson Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kelson

Kelson rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. 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 heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our 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.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Kelson

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make it easier for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard 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 myriad of concerns to check in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.