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 of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the 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 indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Kingston rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Kingston

Kingston rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingston

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Kingston

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier for the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Kingston include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.