Healthy Homes Assessment Kingston

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Kingston rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and 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

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Kingston rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Kingston rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Kingston Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kingston

Rental properties in Kingston must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fix 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 small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingston

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can 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 rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Kingston

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must 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 sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor 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 Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Kingston include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.