Healthy Homes Assessment Birchville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? 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 renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under 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 $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Birchville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only 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 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Birchville, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Birchville rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Birchville rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Birchville

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Birchville

Birchville rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current 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, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Birchville

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Birchville

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to 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 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• 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 standard.

Birchville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Birchville

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Birchville include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Birchville for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.