Healthy Homes Assessment Brown Owl

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Brown Owl rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess 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 Brown Owl rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Brown Owl rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Brown Owl, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Brown Owl rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Brown Owl rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Brown Owl

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Brown Owl

Rental properties in Brown Owl need to have a stable heating source which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Brown Owl

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Brown Owl

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier for the household to keep 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 the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Brown Owl Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Brown Owl

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Brown Owl include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Brown Owl for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.