Healthy Homes Assessment Alicetown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be completed and offer a report with all the information 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 complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Alicetown, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Alicetown rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Alicetown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Alicetown

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Alicetown

Alicetown rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Alicetown

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

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

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, and stay closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented 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 in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Alicetown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Alicetown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Alicetown

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Alicetown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Alicetown for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

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