Healthy Homes Assessment Brown Owl

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Brown Owl rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Brown Owl rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Brown Owl rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Brown Owl, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Brown Owl rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Brown Owl rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brown Owl

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Brown Owl

Rental properties in Brown Owl require a reliable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Brown Owl

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

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

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Brown Owl

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

Brown Owl Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Brown Owl

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brown Owl for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during a home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.