Healthy Homes Assessment Kingston

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 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 will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given 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.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Kingston, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Kingston rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Kingston rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Kingston Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Kingston

Rental properties in Kingston require a reliable heating source that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as 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 suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Kingston

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Kingston

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 with The Healthy Homes Standards in Kingston include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.