Healthy Homes Assessment Kingsley Heights

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Kingsley Heights rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate both 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

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

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request a house assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Kingsley Heights rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Kingsley Heights rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Kingsley Heights Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley Heights

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Kingsley Heights

Rental properties in Kingsley Heights need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingsley Heights

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Kingsley Heights

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to allow the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

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

Kingsley Heights Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 by the Healthy Homes Standard in Kingsley Heights include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley Heights for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.