Healthy Homes Assessment Kingston

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Kingston rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified for both 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 new or renewed contract is signed on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Kingston, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Kingston rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Kingston rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Kingston Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kingston

Kingston rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kingston

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Kingston

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to allow the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement 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 remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to 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 Kingston

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Kingston include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.