Healthy Homes Assessment Alicetown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of 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 $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement 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 supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Alicetown, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Alicetown rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Alicetown rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Alicetown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Alicetown

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Alicetown

Rental properties in Alicetown require a reliable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Alicetown

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Alicetown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy for the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Alicetown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the 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 Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Alicetown include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Alicetown for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.