Healthy Homes Assessment Alicetown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 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 renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties 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 your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Alicetown, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Alicetown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Alicetown

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Alicetown

Alicetown rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the 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 well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Alicetown

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air will be much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Alicetown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Alicetown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Alicetown include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Alicetown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.