Healthy Homes Assessment Birchville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Birchville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements 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 of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of 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 healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Birchville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Birchville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Birchville, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Birchville rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Birchville rental properties.

Start now and call about the Birchville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Birchville

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Birchville

Rental properties in Birchville must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Birchville

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Birchville

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make much easier to the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Birchville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Birchville

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Birchville include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Birchville for Rental Properties

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

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

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