Healthy Homes Assessment Kingsley Heights

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Kingsley Heights rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Kingsley Heights rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Kingsley Heights rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley Heights

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kingsley Heights

Rental properties in Kingsley Heights require a reliable source of heat that can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingsley Heights

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Kingsley Heights

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier for the home to retain the heat.

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 R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Kingsley Heights Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingsley Heights

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Kingsley Heights include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley Heights for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting an home review to determine 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 covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.