Healthy Homes Assessment Kelson

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 must ensure that their Kelson rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant 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 to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide the report with all the details required 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 any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Kelson rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Kelson, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Kelson rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Kelson rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Kelson Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelson

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Kelson

Kelson rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested 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 least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kelson

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated 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 hallways are not liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Kelson

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement 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 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kelson Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kelson

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standard in Kelson include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelson for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.