Healthy Homes Assessment Kelburn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Kelburn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kelburn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kelburn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Kelburn, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Kelburn rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Kelburn rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Kelburn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kelburn

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Kelburn

Rental properties in Kelburn must have a fixed heating source that can warm the living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it may need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Kelburn

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Kelburn

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to allow the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

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

Kelburn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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 Kelburn

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Kelburn include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kelburn for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting a home evaluation to determine 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 insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.