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 in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to 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 rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Kingsley Heights rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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 within Kingsley Heights rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley Heights

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kingsley Heights

Kingsley Heights rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingsley Heights

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Kingsley Heights

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to allow the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kingsley Heights Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingsley Heights

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley Heights for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.