Healthy Homes Assessment Kingsley-Chatham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Kingsley-Chatham rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kingsley-Chatham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Kingsley-Chatham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Kingsley-Chatham, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Kingsley-Chatham rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Kingsley-Chatham rental properties.

Start now and call about the Kingsley-Chatham Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley-Chatham

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

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 movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Kingsley-Chatham

Rental properties in Kingsley-Chatham should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kingsley-Chatham

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Kingsley-Chatham

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes much easier for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

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

Kingsley-Chatham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingsley-Chatham

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Kingsley-Chatham include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley-Chatham for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.