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? Landlords now have to make sure that their Kilbirnie rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Kilbirnie, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Kilbirnie rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in 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 less temperature in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within your house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kilbirnie

Kilbirnie rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kilbirnie

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Kilbirnie

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier for the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand 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 – the remainder area 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

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

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 to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kilbirnie

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Kilbirnie include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kilbirnie for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home assessment.