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 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 any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 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 to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kingsley-Chatham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Kingsley-Chatham, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Kingsley-Chatham rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kingsley-Chatham

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Kingsley-Chatham

Kingsley-Chatham rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingsley-Chatham

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Kingsley-Chatham

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kingsley-Chatham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley-Chatham for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during the home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.