Healthy Homes Assessment Kingston

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Kingston rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of 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 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could 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 that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Kingston, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Kingston rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Kingston rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps 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 gap or hole, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kingston

Kingston rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kingston

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening 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 that can get rid of moisture.

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

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Kingston

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy for the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

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

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating 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 quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingston

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.