Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Kelson rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by 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 requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Kelson, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Kelson rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Kelson rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Kelson Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kelson

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

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Kelson

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier for the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelson

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Kelson include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.