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 July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Kelson rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Kelson, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Kelson rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Start now and call about getting a Kelson Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Kelson

Rental properties in Kelson should have a permanent heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Kelson

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to allow the household to keep warmth.

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

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

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 Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.