Healthy Homes Assessment Alicetown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified for both 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 must be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Alicetown, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Alicetown rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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 in 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 can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Alicetown

Rental properties in Alicetown require a reliable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Alicetown

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Alicetown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Alicetown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Alicetown

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Alicetown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Alicetown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.