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 of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Kilbirnie rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified 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 whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Kilbirnie, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Kilbirnie rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in 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 are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Kilbirnie

Kilbirnie rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors 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) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might just require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kilbirnie

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Kilbirnie

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required 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 subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

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

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• 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 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Kilbirnie Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kilbirnie

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Kilbirnie include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kilbirnie for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.