Healthy Homes Assessment Kilbirnie

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? The 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 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 check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on the Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

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

It’s important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Kilbirnie, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Kilbirnie rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in 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 may lead to less temperature in households. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Kilbirnie

Kilbirnie rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kilbirnie

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Kilbirnie

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new 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 well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kilbirnie Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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 Kilbirnie

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Kilbirnie include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kilbirnie for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property home assessment.