Healthy Homes Assessment Birchville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the 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 a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Birchville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Birchville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Birchville, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Birchville rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Birchville rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Birchville

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Birchville

Rental properties in Birchville require a reliable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it may require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Birchville

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Birchville

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task for the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Birchville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this 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 with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Birchville include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Birchville for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.