Healthy Homes Assessment Kilbirnie

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Kilbirnie rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Kilbirnie, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

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

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Kilbirnie rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Kilbirnie Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kilbirnie

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A damp house 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 or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Kilbirnie

Rental properties in Kilbirnie should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat 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 source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kilbirnie

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Kilbirnie

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kilbirnie Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kilbirnie

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Kilbirnie include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kilbirnie for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.