Healthy Homes Assessment Kilbirnie

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Kilbirnie rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess each of 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Kilbirnie, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Kilbirnie rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Kilbirnie rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Kilbirnie Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kilbirnie

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted 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 can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure when the home warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Kilbirnie

Kilbirnie rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kilbirnie

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside and remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Kilbirnie

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to allow the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kilbirnie Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kilbirnie

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Kilbirnie include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kilbirnie for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.