Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified to assess each of 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Kelson, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Kelson rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Kelson rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss 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 home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Kelson

Kelson rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Kelson

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure 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 not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of 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 by Healthy 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 numerous concerns to check when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.