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 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 are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or 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, with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Kilbirnie, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Kilbirnie rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of 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, as well as Draught stopping for Kilbirnie rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kilbirnie

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it 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 or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Kilbirnie

Rental properties in Kilbirnie require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kilbirnie

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding how dried air can be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. 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 closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Kilbirnie

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to the house to keep warmth.

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 insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kilbirnie Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists 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

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Kilbirnie include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kilbirnie for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.