Healthy Homes Assessment Kingsley-Chatham

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 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 rental properties must be completely 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 will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Kingsley-Chatham rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

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

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. 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.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Kingsley-Chatham, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Kingsley-Chatham rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping within 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 less temperature in homes. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kingsley-Chatham

Kingsley-Chatham rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kingsley-Chatham

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air will be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Kingsley-Chatham

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to allow the house to retain 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 gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kingsley-Chatham Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kingsley-Chatham

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Kingsley-Chatham include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kingsley-Chatham for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home assessment.