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? The 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 must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Birchville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Birchville rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less 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 Control within 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 increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Birchville

Birchville rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living area to at minimum 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 needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Birchville

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Birchville

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required 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 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Birchville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Birchville include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Birchville for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.