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? Landlords must make sure that their Kingsley Heights rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to 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 will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified for 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of 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 liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Kingsley Heights rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley Heights

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kingsley Heights

Rental properties in Kingsley Heights must have a fixed heating source that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW 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 if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding details on 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 offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Kingsley Heights

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make more easy to allow the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand 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 rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, 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

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

Kingsley Heights Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingsley Heights

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Kingsley Heights include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley Heights for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property house evaluation.