Healthy Homes Assessment Kingsley Heights

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Kingsley Heights 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest 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 even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Kingsley Heights rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Kingsley Heights rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Kingsley Heights Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley Heights

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Kingsley Heights

Rental properties in Kingsley Heights should have a permanent heating source that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 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 source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kingsley Heights

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Kingsley Heights

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

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

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

Kingsley Heights Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the 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 ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingsley Heights

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Kingsley Heights include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley Heights for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.