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 ensure that their Kingsley Heights rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely 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 will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. 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 fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

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

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Kingsley Heights rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

Begin now by calling about getting a Kingsley Heights Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley Heights

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Kingsley Heights

Kingsley Heights rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the main or largest 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 health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kingsley Heights

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Kingsley Heights

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Kingsley Heights Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Kingsley Heights include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley Heights for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.