Healthy Homes Assessment Kelburn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Kelburn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of 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 up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Kelburn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kelburn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which 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 correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Kelburn, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Kelburn rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Kelburn rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Kelburn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelburn

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements 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 hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Kelburn

Kelburn rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on 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 outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kelburn

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Kelburn

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to allow the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Kelburn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelburn

The areas of rental property that are affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Kelburn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelburn for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.