Healthy Homes Assessment Kilbirnie

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Kilbirnie rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified to evaluate 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 brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that landlords with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Kilbirnie, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Kilbirnie rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kilbirnie

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kilbirnie

Rental properties in Kilbirnie require a reliable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kilbirnie

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Kilbirnie

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• 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

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kilbirnie

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standards. 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 things to look over in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.