Healthy Homes Assessment Kilbirnie

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 must make sure 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 rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified for 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not provide the required information 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 penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Kilbirnie, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Kilbirnie rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Kilbirnie rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kilbirnie

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Kilbirnie

Kilbirnie rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Kilbirnie

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Kilbirnie

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make more easy for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand 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 – all of the 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kilbirnie Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standards in Kilbirnie include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kilbirnie for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with 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 need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home evaluation.