Healthy Homes Assessment Kilbirnie

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of 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 up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to evaluate 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 on a Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Kilbirnie rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Kilbirnie rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Kilbirnie rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Kilbirnie Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Kilbirnie

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Kilbirnie

Kilbirnie rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Kilbirnie

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air will be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Kilbirnie

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• 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 standard.

Kilbirnie Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Kilbirnie

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Kilbirnie for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check during an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.