Healthy Homes Assessment Kingsley Heights

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that 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 renewed or new 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 can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets 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 provide an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate each of 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Kingsley Heights rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley Heights

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kingsley Heights

Kingsley Heights rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for the 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 provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Kingsley Heights

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to allow the household to retain the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kingsley Heights Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 by The Healthy Homes Standards in Kingsley Heights include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley Heights for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.