Healthy Homes Assessment Kingsley Heights

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Kingsley Heights rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Kingsley Heights rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Kingsley Heights rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley Heights

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Kingsley Heights

Rental properties in Kingsley Heights require a reliable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it could need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingsley Heights

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Kingsley Heights

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kingsley Heights Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingsley Heights

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley Heights for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.