Healthy Homes Assessment Kilbirnie

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Kilbirnie rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified for 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Kilbirnie, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Kilbirnie rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Kilbirnie rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Kilbirnie Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kilbirnie

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Kilbirnie

Kilbirnie rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kilbirnie

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Kilbirnie

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task for the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Kilbirnie Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kilbirnie

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Kilbirnie include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kilbirnie for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.