Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Kelson rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and 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

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on the Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Kelson, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Kelson rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Kelson rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Kelson Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kelson

Kelson rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to 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 a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Kelson

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the 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 remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor 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 moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

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

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Kelson include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.