Healthy Homes Assessment Alicetown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Alicetown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by 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 assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to assess each of 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a 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 regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Alicetown, and research shows us that these rental houses tend 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 for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Alicetown rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

Start now and call about having a Alicetown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Alicetown

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Alicetown

Rental properties in Alicetown should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Alicetown

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Alicetown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Alicetown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 to the Healthy Homes Standards in Alicetown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Alicetown for Rental Properties

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

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient 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 accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.