Healthy Homes Assessment Birchville

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 must ensure that their Birchville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Birchville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Birchville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine 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 fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Birchville, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Birchville rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Birchville rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Birchville

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Birchville

Rental properties in Birchville need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. 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 like heat pumps, it might require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Birchville

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Birchville

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make much easier for the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands 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 rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Birchville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Birchville include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Birchville for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.