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 are now required to make sure that their Brown Owl rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified to assess 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Brown Owl rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Brown Owl rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Brown Owl, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Brown Owl rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within 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 lower temperatures in homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Brown Owl

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

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Brown Owl

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Brown Owl

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to the household to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Brown Owl Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is 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 accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Brown Owl include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brown Owl for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.