Healthy Homes Assessment Kingsley Heights

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the 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 new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Kingsley Heights rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Kingsley Heights Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley Heights

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Kingsley Heights

Rental properties in Kingsley Heights need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it may need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingsley Heights

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The 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.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Kingsley Heights

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better 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 floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kingsley Heights Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this 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 with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Kingsley Heights include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley Heights for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property home assessment.