Healthy Homes Assessment Brown Owl

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Brown Owl rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

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

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Brown Owl rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Brown Owl, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Brown Owl rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Brown Owl rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Brown Owl Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brown Owl

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Brown Owl

Rental properties in Brown Owl must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it could need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Brown Owl

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Brown Owl

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier for the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

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

Brown Owl Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Brown Owl

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Brown Owl include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brown Owl for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.