Healthy Homes Assessment Kelburn

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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Kelburn 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 fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in 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 requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Kelburn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Kelburn, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Kelburn rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Kelburn rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelburn

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Kelburn

Rental properties in Kelburn should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kelburn

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

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

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside and remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Kelburn

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make more easy for the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

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

Kelburn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 Kelburn

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Kelburn include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelburn for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.