Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Kelson rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done and offer a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Kelson, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Kelson rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss getting 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 draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kelson

Rental properties in Kelson require a reliable heating source which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kelson

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Kelson

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

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

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelson

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Kelson include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.