Healthy Homes Assessment Kingston

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Kingston rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by 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 standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Kingston, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Kingston rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Kingston rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Kingston Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Kingston

Rental properties in Kingston should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to include a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kingston

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Kingston

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingston

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Kingston include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.