Healthy Homes Assessment Kingston

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? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Kingston rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must 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 can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done, and offer the report with 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 under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the 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 now and arrange to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Kingston, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Kingston rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

Begin now by calling about getting a Kingston Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Kingston

Kingston rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingston

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Kingston

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingston

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Kingston include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.