Healthy Homes Assessment Kingston

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Kingston rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 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 and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information 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 who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket 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 an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Kingston, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Kingston rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Kingston rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Kingston

Rental properties in Kingston should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Kingston

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Kingston

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingston

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Kingston include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties home assessment.