Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Kelson rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation 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 relevant fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Kelson rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Start now and call about getting a Kelson Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kelson

Kelson rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Kelson

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps 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

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Kelson include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.