Healthy Homes Assessment Birchville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Birchville 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 fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Birchville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Birchville, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Birchville rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Birchville rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Birchville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Birchville

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Birchville

Rental properties in Birchville must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Birchville

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Birchville

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure 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 subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the house to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Birchville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Birchville

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Birchville for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property house assessment.