Healthy Homes Assessment Birchville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The 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 completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate 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 tenancy is signed on a Birchville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed 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 one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Birchville, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the standard of Birchville rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Birchville rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Birchville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Birchville

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within your home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Birchville

Rental properties in Birchville require a reliable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Birchville

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Birchville

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Birchville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing 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

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Birchville include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Birchville for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.