Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Kelson, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Kelson rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Kelson rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting 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 draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted 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 and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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

Heating Kelson

Kelson rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the most 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 as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kelson

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. 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 in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Kelson

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 with The Healthy Homes Standards in Kelson include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.