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 July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Alicetown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a 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. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Alicetown, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Alicetown rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Alicetown rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Alicetown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Alicetown

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A damp house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Alicetown

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

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Alicetown

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Alicetown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Alicetown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 with The Healthy Homes Standards 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 things to look over in the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.