Healthy Homes Assessment Kilbirnie

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Kilbirnie rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside 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 isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Kilbirnie, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Kilbirnie rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs 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 as Draught Stopping for Kilbirnie rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Kilbirnie Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kilbirnie

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Kilbirnie

Kilbirnie rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Kilbirnie

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Kilbirnie

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task for the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Kilbirnie Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kilbirnie

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Kilbirnie include each:

• Living Rooms
• 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 during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.