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? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 completely 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’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 any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Kingston rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

Contact us now to discuss the Kingston Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Kingston

Kingston rental properties 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 temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kingston

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Kingston

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingston

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Kingston include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.