Healthy Homes Assessment Kilbirnie

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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Kilbirnie rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done, and offer the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Kilbirnie, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Kilbirnie rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the 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 having a Kilbirnie Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kilbirnie

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kilbirnie

Rental properties in Kilbirnie require a reliable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Kilbirnie

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Kilbirnie

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the house to retain warmth.

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

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

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

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 interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent 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

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standard 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 when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.