Healthy Homes Assessment Birchville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Birchville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Birchville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Birchville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Birchville, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Birchville rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Birchville rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Birchville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Birchville

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Birchville

Birchville rental properties require a reliable source of heat which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Birchville

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation 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 dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Birchville

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands 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 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Birchville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Birchville

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standard in Birchville include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Birchville for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.