Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Kelson rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information 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 in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to assess 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current 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 crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Kelson, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Kelson rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kelson

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

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Kelson

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to allow the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 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

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelson

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Kelson include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.