Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Kelson rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Kelson, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and 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 associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Kelson rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs 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, and Draught stopping within Kelson rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Kelson Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into your home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Kelson

Rental properties in Kelson must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kelson

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Kelson

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelson

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Kelson include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.