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 of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Kingston rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done, and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Kingston, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Kingston rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Kingston rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Kingston

Rental properties in Kingston should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living room 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 well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kingston

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Kingston

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingston

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

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