Healthy Homes Assessment Berhampore

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Berhampore rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

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 for a Berhampore rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Berhampore rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside 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 within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Berhampore, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Berhampore rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Berhampore rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Berhampore Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Berhampore

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Berhampore

Berhampore rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, 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 well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Berhampore

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Berhampore

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Berhampore Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Berhampore

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Berhampore include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Berhampore for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.