Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Kelson rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified to assess both 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 tenancy is signed for a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Kelson, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, 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 health.

Improve the standard of Kelson rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs 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 Draught Stopping within Kelson rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within the house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

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

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Kelson

Kelson rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate 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 The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Kelson

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to allow the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelson

Rental property areas affected to 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 variety of concerns you should look for in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.