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 of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Alicetown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified for 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Alicetown, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Alicetown rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in 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 in Alicetown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Alicetown

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Alicetown

Rental properties in Alicetown require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Alicetown

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Alicetown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making it easier for the household to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Alicetown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Alicetown

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Alicetown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Alicetown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.