Healthy Homes Assessment Kingsley Heights

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Kingsley Heights rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier 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 Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a house assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Kingsley Heights rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Kingsley Heights rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Kingsley Heights Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley Heights

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure when the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kingsley Heights

Kingsley Heights rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it could need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Kingsley Heights

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Kingsley Heights

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task for the home to keep warmth.

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

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

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kingsley Heights Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingsley Heights

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Kingsley Heights include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley Heights for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.