Healthy Homes Assessment Brown Owl

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 now have to make sure that 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 must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Brown Owl rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any 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 leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Brown Owl, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Brown Owl rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Brown Owl rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Brown Owl Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brown Owl

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Brown Owl

Rental properties in Brown Owl require a reliable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on 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 health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Brown Owl

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Brown Owl

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Brown Owl Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Brown Owl

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Brown Owl include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brown Owl for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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