Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Kelson rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified for 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 contract is signed on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Kelson, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Kelson rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on 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 dropping temperatures within households. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within your house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Kelson

Rental properties in Kelson need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of 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 if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable 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 heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Kelson

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

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 but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelson

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Kelson include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home assessment.