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 make sure that 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 rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Kingston, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Kingston rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping 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 damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of the home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Kingston

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

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingston

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open 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 to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Kingston

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to allow the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting 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

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standards 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 myriad of concerns you should look for during the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.