Healthy Homes Assessment Kingsley Heights

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have 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 must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully 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 items must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the 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 Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Kingsley Heights rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley Heights

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Kingsley Heights

Kingsley Heights rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kingsley Heights

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Kingsley Heights

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kingsley Heights Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid 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 doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingsley Heights

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley Heights for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.