Healthy Homes Assessment Kingston

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation 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 healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of 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

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

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Kingston, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Kingston rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on 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 are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Kingston

Rental properties in Kingston should have a permanent heating source which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix 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 such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kingston

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Kingston

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to the household to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Kingston include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.