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 effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Kingsley Heights rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified to assess 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Kingsley Heights rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress 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 today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley Heights

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kingsley Heights

Rental properties in Kingsley Heights should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested 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) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may need an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kingsley Heights

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Kingsley Heights

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier for the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire 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 inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingsley Heights

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Kingsley Heights include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley Heights for Rental Properties

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

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.