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 July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Kingston rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to assess both 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 tenancy is signed on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Kingston, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

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

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping 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 increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the household warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kingston

Kingston rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kingston

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Kingston

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make much easier for the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

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 has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingston

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.