Healthy Homes Assessment Kingsley-Chatham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Kingsley-Chatham rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of 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 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kingsley-Chatham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated 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 home they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Kingsley-Chatham, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the quality of Kingsley-Chatham rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Kingsley-Chatham rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Kingsley-Chatham Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley-Chatham

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Kingsley-Chatham

Kingsley-Chatham rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingsley-Chatham

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Kingsley-Chatham

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes it easier for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kingsley-Chatham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the 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 Kingsley-Chatham

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley-Chatham for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.