Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Kelson, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Kelson rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Kelson rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kelson

Kelson rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 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 source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Kelson

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier for the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• 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 and floor 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 standard.

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelson

The areas of rental property that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Kelson include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.