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 now have to ensure their Kingston rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and 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 tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Kingston, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Kingston rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Kingston rental properties.

Start now and call about the Kingston Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that 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 household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Kingston

Rental properties in Kingston should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended 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 needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingston

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Kingston

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to the home to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 to The Healthy Homes Standard in Kingston include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.