Healthy Homes Assessment Kingsley Heights

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Kingsley Heights rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st 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 whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation 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 healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Kingsley Heights rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 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 current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious 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.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Kingsley Heights, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Kingsley Heights rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Begin now by calling about getting a Kingsley Heights Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley Heights

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the household warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Kingsley Heights

Kingsley Heights rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might just require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kingsley Heights

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Kingsley Heights

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 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

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingsley Heights

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley Heights for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.