Healthy Homes Assessment Kingsley Heights

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

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

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information 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 breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to evaluate 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the 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 inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified 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 the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Kingsley Heights rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Kingsley Heights rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss 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 less temperature in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Kingsley Heights

Rental properties in Kingsley Heights should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kingsley Heights

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent 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.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Kingsley Heights

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier for the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kingsley Heights Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 Standards in Kingsley Heights include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley Heights for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.