Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Kelson rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to note that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Kelson, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Kelson rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Kelson rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Kelson Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kelson

Rental properties in Kelson require a reliable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Kelson

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task for the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelson

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Kelson include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.