Healthy Homes Assessment Kingston

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

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

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Kingston, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Kingston rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

Begin now by calling about receiving a Kingston Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for 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 source of heat that can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingston

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Kingston

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to allow the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this 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 inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingston

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Kingston include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.