Healthy Homes Assessment Kingsley Heights

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement 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 property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Kingsley Heights rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Kingsley Heights rental properties.

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

Draught Stopping Kingsley Heights

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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 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 and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it may require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingsley Heights

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

Insulation Kingsley Heights

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to allow the household to retain warmth.

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

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

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

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

Kingsley Heights Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able 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 the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

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

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingsley Heights

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Kingsley Heights include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Home Assessments Kingsley Heights for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.