Healthy Homes Assessment Kingston

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Kingston rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in 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 standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs 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 note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Kingston, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Kingston rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in 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 Draught Control on Kingston rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Kingston Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kingston

Kingston rental properties require a reliable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it could need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingston

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Kingston

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 Kingston

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Kingston include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.