Healthy Homes Assessment Berhampore

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have 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 rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Berhampore rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Berhampore rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 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 have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Berhampore rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less 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, and Draught stopping in Berhampore rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Berhampore Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Berhampore

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Berhampore

Berhampore rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

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

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Berhampore

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The 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.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Berhampore

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Berhampore Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside 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 typically the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Berhampore

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Berhampore include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Berhampore for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.