Healthy Homes Assessment Kelburn

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Kelburn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kelburn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Kelburn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s 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 liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Kelburn, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the quality of Kelburn rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Kelburn rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Kelburn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Draught Stopping Kelburn

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements 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 from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Kelburn

Rental properties in Kelburn need to have a stable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require 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 acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Kelburn

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

Insulation Kelburn

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to allow the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and 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 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 standard.

Kelburn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed 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 generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelburn

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Kelburn include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Home Assessments Kelburn for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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