Healthy Homes Assessment Brown Owl

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Brown Owl rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Brown Owl rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Brown Owl, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Brown Owl rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Brown Owl rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brown Owl

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Brown Owl

Rental properties in Brown Owl must have a fixed heating source that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Brown Owl

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Brown Owl

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Brown Owl Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Brown Owl

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Brown Owl include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brown Owl for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.