Healthy Homes Assessment Kingston

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Kingston rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Kingston, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Kingston rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Kingston rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within your home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kingston

Rental properties in Kingston require a reliable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, 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 well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingston

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Kingston

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to allow the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingston

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Kingston include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture 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 have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.