Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 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 must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified for 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 contract is signed on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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 work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

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

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Kelson, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Kelson rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Kelson rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Kelson Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kelson

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

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Kelson

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

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

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 with The Healthy Homes Standard in Kelson include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home 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 an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.