Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Kelson, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Kelson rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Kelson rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kelson

Kelson rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it may require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Kelson

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes it easier for the house to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The 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 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 a variety of concerns to be able to examine during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.