Healthy Homes Assessment Kingsley-Chatham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that 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 rentals must 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 evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kingsley-Chatham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on the Kingsley-Chatham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Kingsley-Chatham, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Kingsley-Chatham rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Kingsley-Chatham rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Kingsley-Chatham Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley-Chatham

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Kingsley-Chatham

Rental properties in Kingsley-Chatham must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether 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 mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller 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 might need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kingsley-Chatham

Every living space of a rental house must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This 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 areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Kingsley-Chatham

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

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

Kingsley-Chatham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley-Chatham for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.