Healthy Homes Assessment Kingsley Heights

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Kingsley Heights rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property It could also 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 completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Kingsley Heights rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley Heights

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kingsley Heights

Kingsley Heights rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to include a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kingsley Heights

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Kingsley Heights

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

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

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kingsley Heights Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 The Healthy Homes Standard in Kingsley Heights include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley Heights for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.