Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

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 must ensure that their Kelson 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 must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

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

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe 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.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Kelson, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Kelson rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kelson

Rental properties in Kelson must have a fixed heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kelson

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Kelson

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier for the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelson

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Kelson include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home assessment.