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? Landlords are now required to make sure their Alicetown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess 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 or renewed contract is signed on an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Alicetown, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Alicetown rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Alicetown

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Alicetown

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

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Alicetown

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Alicetown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task for the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Alicetown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is 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 getting into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Alicetown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Alicetown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during an home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.