Healthy Homes Assessment Alicetown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Alicetown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely 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 determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done, 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 in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

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 on an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Alicetown, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Alicetown rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Alicetown rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Alicetown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Alicetown

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Alicetown

Alicetown rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it could need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Alicetown

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Alicetown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make it easier for the household to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Alicetown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Alicetown

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Alicetown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Alicetown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.