Healthy Homes Assessment Kingston

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The 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 rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to assess each of 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting 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 house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Kingston, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Kingston rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A humid house costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important 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 a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingston

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Kingston

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to allow the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent 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

Rental property areas affected to the 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 numerous concerns to check during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.