Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Kelson rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified for 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

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

It is also crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Kelson, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Kelson rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Kelson rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Kelson Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Kelson

Kelson rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most 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 well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Kelson

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to the house to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelson

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Kelson include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.