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 July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Birchville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Birchville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once 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 comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

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

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Birchville, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Birchville rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Birchville rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Birchville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Birchville

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Birchville

Birchville rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Birchville

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Birchville

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Birchville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Birchville

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Birchville include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Birchville for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has 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 The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.