Healthy Homes Assessment Brown Owl

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 Brown Owl rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 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 check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Brown Owl rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Brown Owl rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide 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 identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Brown Owl, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Brown Owl rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance 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 for Brown Owl rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Brown Owl Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brown Owl

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Brown Owl

Brown Owl rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Brown Owl

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly 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 do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Brown Owl

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to allow the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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.

Brown Owl Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Brown Owl

The areas of rental property that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Brown Owl include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brown Owl for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

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