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? The 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 rentals are required to be completely 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 your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kingsley-Chatham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may 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 reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Kingsley-Chatham, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the standard of Kingsley-Chatham rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Kingsley-Chatham rental properties.

Start now and call about the 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 houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Kingsley-Chatham

Rental properties in Kingsley-Chatham must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC 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 as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kingsley-Chatham

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Kingsley-Chatham

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 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 also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingsley-Chatham

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Kingsley-Chatham include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley-Chatham for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.