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 must ensure their Kilbirnie rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified to assess each of 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on the Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to 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 existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Kilbirnie, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Kilbirnie rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance 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 for Kilbirnie rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kilbirnie

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kilbirnie

Rental properties in Kilbirnie should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing 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 acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kilbirnie

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Kilbirnie

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make more easy for the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kilbirnie Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kilbirnie

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Kilbirnie include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kilbirnie for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.