Healthy Homes Assessment Berhampore

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Berhampore rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

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

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Berhampore rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Berhampore rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional 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 liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Berhampore, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Berhampore rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about receiving a Berhampore Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Berhampore

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Berhampore

Rental properties in Berhampore require a reliable heating source that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Berhampore

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The 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.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Berhampore

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Berhampore Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Berhampore include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Berhampore for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property house assessment.