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 now have to make sure their Alicetown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Alicetown, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Alicetown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Alicetown rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Alicetown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Alicetown

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Alicetown

Alicetown rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Alicetown

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Alicetown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Alicetown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of 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
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Alicetown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

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