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 make sure that their Brown Owl rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate both 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, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Brown Owl rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed 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 meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Brown Owl, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Brown Owl rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Brown Owl rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brown Owl

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Brown Owl

Brown Owl rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Brown Owl

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Brown Owl

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Brown Owl Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps 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 Brown Owl

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Brown Owl include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brown Owl for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home assessment.