Healthy Homes Assessment Birchville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Birchville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

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

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Birchville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Birchville, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the standard of Birchville rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over 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 on Birchville rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Birchville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Birchville

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into your house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Birchville

Birchville rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Birchville

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Birchville

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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

Find out all the details 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 but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. 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 Birchville

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Birchville for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.