Healthy Homes Assessment Kingsley-Chatham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Kingsley-Chatham rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for 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 the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so 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 older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Kingsley-Chatham rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Kingsley-Chatham rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley-Chatham

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Kingsley-Chatham

Kingsley-Chatham rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it may require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Kingsley-Chatham

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Kingsley-Chatham

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make much easier for the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Kingsley-Chatham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 with The Healthy Homes Standards in Kingsley-Chatham include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley-Chatham for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.