Healthy Homes Assessment Alicetown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Alicetown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Alicetown, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the standard of Alicetown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Alicetown rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Alicetown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Alicetown

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into your house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Alicetown

Alicetown rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it may require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Alicetown

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Alicetown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy for the household to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Alicetown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

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

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Alicetown

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Alicetown for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.