Healthy Homes Assessment Birchville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Birchville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified to assess 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Birchville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Birchville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Birchville, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Birchville rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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 Birchville rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Birchville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Birchville

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Birchville

Birchville rental properties require a reliable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Birchville

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are 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 with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Birchville

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task for the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of 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 higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Birchville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Birchville

The areas of rental property that are affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Birchville include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Birchville for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.