Healthy Homes Assessment Kingston

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Kingston, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Kingston rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Kingston rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Kingston Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kingston

Kingston rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingston

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Kingston

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingston

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.