Healthy Homes Assessment Kingston

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Kingston rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified for 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 items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Kingston, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Kingston rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Kingston rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Kingston Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Kingston

Kingston rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the living space to at least 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 health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingston

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Kingston

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your 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

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Kingston include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.