Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Kelson rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to assess both 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 need to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Kelson, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Kelson rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Kelson rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Kelson

Rental properties in Kelson must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might just require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Kelson

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Kelson

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required 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 some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier for the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelson

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Kelson include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.