Healthy Homes Assessment Alicetown

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? Landlords must make sure their Alicetown 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 fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have 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 so Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Alicetown, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Alicetown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Alicetown rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Alicetown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Alicetown

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Alicetown

Rental properties in Alicetown require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Alicetown

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Alicetown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Alicetown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Alicetown

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Alicetown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Alicetown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.