Healthy Homes Assessment Kingsley Heights

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Kingsley Heights rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

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

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done 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 are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Kingsley Heights rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Kingsley Heights rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Kingsley Heights Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley Heights

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of 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 the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Kingsley Heights

Rental properties in Kingsley Heights need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kingsley Heights

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Kingsley Heights

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Kingsley Heights Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also 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 property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingsley Heights

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Kingsley Heights include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley Heights for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.