Healthy Homes Assessment Kingsley Heights

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 now have to make sure their Kingsley Heights rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once 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 all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Kingsley Heights rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Kingsley Heights rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley Heights

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kingsley Heights

Kingsley Heights rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Kingsley Heights

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Kingsley Heights

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the home to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kingsley Heights Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingsley Heights

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Kingsley Heights include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley Heights for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.