Healthy Homes Assessment Berhampore

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? Landlords are now required to make sure their Berhampore rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified for 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Berhampore rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request 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 may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the 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 Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Berhampore, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Berhampore rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Berhampore rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Berhampore

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Berhampore

Berhampore rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it could need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Berhampore

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Berhampore

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the household to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Berhampore Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Berhampore

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Berhampore include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Berhampore for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.