Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Kelson rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the 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 new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Kelson, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Kelson rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance 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 within Kelson rental properties.

Get started now and contact us 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 houses. A cold house costs more 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 sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Kelson

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

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kelson

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Kelson

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make much easier to the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelson

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Kelson include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.