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 are now required to make sure their Kingsley Heights rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in 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 completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified for 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside 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 within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Kingsley Heights rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control in Kingsley Heights rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley Heights

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kingsley Heights

Kingsley Heights rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kingsley Heights

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Kingsley Heights

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier for the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kingsley Heights Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingsley Heights

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Kingsley Heights include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley Heights for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

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