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 July 2021? Landlords must ensure that 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 rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing 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 correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Kelson, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Kelson rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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 on 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 less temperature in houses. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Kelson

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

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Kelson

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to the house to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet 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 more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelson

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards 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 myriad of concerns to look over during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.