Healthy Homes Assessment Brown Owl

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Brown Owl rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done, and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Brown Owl rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Brown Owl rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Brown Owl, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Brown Owl rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Brown Owl rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Brown Owl Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brown Owl

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Brown Owl

Brown Owl rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile 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 must have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Brown Owl

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of 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 need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Brown Owl

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for 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 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Brown Owl Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently 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 need to have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Brown Owl

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• 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 when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.