Healthy Homes Assessment Berhampore

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Berhampore rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Berhampore rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Berhampore rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs 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 remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Berhampore, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Berhampore rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Berhampore rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Berhampore Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Berhampore

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the house warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Berhampore

Rental properties in Berhampore must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable 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 required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Berhampore

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Berhampore

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier for the home to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Berhampore Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Berhampore

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Berhampore include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Berhampore for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

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