Healthy Homes Assessment Kingston

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Kingston, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Kingston rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Kingston rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Kingston

Rental properties in Kingston must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is 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) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingston

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Kingston

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface 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 get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingston

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Kingston include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the 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?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.