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? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will assess your rental property and 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 tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

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

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as 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 homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Kingsley Heights

Kingsley Heights rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kingsley Heights

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Kingsley Heights

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make more easy for the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• 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 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kingsley Heights Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingsley Heights

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standards in Kingsley Heights include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley Heights for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.