Healthy Homes Assessment Alicetown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that 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 rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess both 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Alicetown, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the quality of Alicetown rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Alicetown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Alicetown

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Alicetown

Rental properties in Alicetown require a reliable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, 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 the heat pump, it might require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Alicetown

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Alicetown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to allow the household to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

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 ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Alicetown

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Alicetown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Alicetown for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• 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 the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.