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? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Kingsley Heights rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the standard of Kingsley Heights rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better 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 set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation 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 now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley Heights

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Kingsley Heights

Rental properties in Kingsley Heights should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in 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 your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kingsley Heights

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Kingsley Heights

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about 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 but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingsley Heights

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standard. 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 numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with 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 consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.