Healthy Homes Assessment Kingston

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Kingston rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Kingston, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Kingston rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Kingston rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the house warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Kingston

Rental properties in Kingston should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kingston

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Kingston

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingston

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Kingston include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during a house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.