Healthy Homes Assessment Kingston

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information 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 found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified to assess 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, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end 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 done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended 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 the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call 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 are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Kingston, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Kingston rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Kingston

Kingston rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingston

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Kingston

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingston

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Kingston include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.