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 must make sure their Alicetown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to assess 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for 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 provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Alicetown, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Alicetown rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Alicetown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Alicetown

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Alicetown

Rental properties in Alicetown must have a fixed heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Alicetown

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Alicetown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier for the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for 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 more effective 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of 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 it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Alicetown

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Alicetown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Alicetown for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.