Healthy Homes Assessment Berhampore

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Berhampore 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 fully certified 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 and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Berhampore rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Berhampore rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Berhampore, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Berhampore rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Berhampore rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Berhampore Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Berhampore

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Berhampore

Berhampore rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, 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 wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This makes 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 like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Berhampore

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Berhampore

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Berhampore Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

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

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Berhampore

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Berhampore include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Berhampore for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.