Healthy Homes Assessment Kelburn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Kelburn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified for both 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kelburn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Kelburn, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Kelburn rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Kelburn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelburn

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kelburn

Rental properties in Kelburn require a reliable heating source that can heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kelburn

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Kelburn

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to allow the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Kelburn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelburn

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelburn for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.