Healthy Homes Assessment Kingston

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the 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 an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Kingston rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners 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 contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Kingston, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Kingston rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Kingston rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Kingston Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingston

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into your home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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

Heating Kingston

Rental properties in Kingston should have a permanent heating source that can heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kingston

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Kingston

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol 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 better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kingston Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingston

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Kingston include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingston for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during the house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.