Healthy Homes Assessment Brown Owl

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that 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 a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Brown Owl rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on 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 within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

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

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Brown Owl, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Brown Owl rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Brown Owl rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Brown Owl Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brown Owl

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

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Brown Owl

Rental properties in Brown Owl should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Brown Owl

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, and stay closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Brown Owl

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

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

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

Brown Owl Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this 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 with The Healthy Homes Standard in Brown Owl include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brown Owl for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.