Healthy Homes Assessment Alicetown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st 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 new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done, and provide a report with all the details 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 under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or 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 the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Alicetown, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, 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, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Alicetown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss the Alicetown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Alicetown

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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

Heating Alicetown

Rental properties in Alicetown must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in 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 if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Alicetown

Every living space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Alicetown

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Alicetown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Alicetown

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Alicetown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Alicetown for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.