Healthy Homes Assessment Kilbirnie

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Kilbirnie rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed 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 reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Kilbirnie, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Kilbirnie rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Kilbirnie rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Kilbirnie Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kilbirnie

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Kilbirnie

Kilbirnie rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and 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 can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Kilbirnie

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

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Kilbirnie

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kilbirnie Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 Kilbirnie

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Kilbirnie include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kilbirnie for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.