Healthy Homes Assessment Alicetown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Alicetown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done 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 breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request 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 necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Alicetown, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Alicetown rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on 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 houses. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Alicetown

Alicetown rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require 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 to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Alicetown

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Alicetown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Alicetown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected 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 also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Alicetown

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standard in Alicetown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Alicetown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.