Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 fully conforming by the 1st 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Kelson, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Kelson rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Kelson rental properties.

Start now and call about the Kelson Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kelson

Kelson rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kelson

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be 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.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Kelson

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to allow the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient 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 - 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed 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 in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.