Healthy Homes Assessment Kingston

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Kingston 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to assess 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, 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 property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Kingston, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Kingston rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in 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 Kingston rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Kingston Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kingston

Kingston rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent 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 are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kingston

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Kingston

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Kingston

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Kingston include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.