Healthy Homes Assessment Brown Owl

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Brown Owl rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely 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 will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Brown Owl rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Brown Owl rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the 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 home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Brown Owl, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Brown Owl rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower 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 as Draught stopping within Brown Owl rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brown Owl

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Brown Owl

Brown Owl rental properties require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Brown Owl

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

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dried air can be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Brown Owl

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs 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 more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Brown Owl Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing 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 by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Brown Owl include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brown Owl for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.