Healthy Homes Assessment Birchville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Birchville 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 must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Birchville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Birchville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Birchville, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Birchville rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Birchville rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Birchville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Birchville

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of the house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Birchville

Rental properties in Birchville should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Birchville

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how dried air can be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Birchville

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and 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 standard.

Birchville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

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

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Birchville

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standard in Birchville include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Birchville 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. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.