Healthy Homes Assessment Birchville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Birchville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant 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 assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be completed and offer the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements 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 as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Birchville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Birchville, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Birchville rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Birchville rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Birchville

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Birchville

Birchville rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Birchville

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside and remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Birchville

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making more easy for the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for 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 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Birchville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Birchville

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Birchville include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Birchville for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.