Healthy Homes Assessment Kelburn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Kelburn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. 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 meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

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 on a Kelburn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Kelburn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an house inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Kelburn, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Kelburn rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements 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 now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelburn

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kelburn

Kelburn rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kelburn

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Kelburn

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to the household to retain the heat.

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

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kelburn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Kelburn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelburn for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.