Healthy Homes Assessment Kelburn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Kelburn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Kelburn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Kelburn, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Kelburn rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Kelburn rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Kelburn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelburn

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Kelburn

Rental properties in Kelburn need to have a stable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kelburn

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Kelburn

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 and 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kelburn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelburn

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Kelburn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelburn for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.