Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Kelson rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Kelson, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Kelson rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Kelson rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Kelson Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it 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 is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kelson

Kelson rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be 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 considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Kelson

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to allow the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient 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 floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelson

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Kelson include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.