Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that 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 rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to evaluate 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Kelson, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Kelson rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Kelson

Rental properties in Kelson must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. 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) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Kelson

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelson

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.