Healthy Homes Assessment Kingston

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? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Kingston rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant 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 evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be done and provide a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request an home assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Kingston, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Kingston rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Kingston rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Kingston Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kingston

Kingston rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingston

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Kingston

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to allow the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingston

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Kingston include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.