Healthy Homes Assessment Brown Owl

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Brown Owl rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in 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 whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate each of 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Brown Owl rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a 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 by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Brown Owl, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Brown Owl rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Brown Owl rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Brown Owl Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brown Owl

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Brown Owl

Brown Owl rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it may require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Brown Owl

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Brown Owl

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

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

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Brown Owl Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Brown Owl

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Brown Owl include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brown Owl for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.