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 ensure their Alicetown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant 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 assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified for 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation 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 property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Alicetown, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Alicetown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Alicetown rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Alicetown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Alicetown

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Alicetown

Alicetown rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Alicetown

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside while remaining closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Alicetown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand 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 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor 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 but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Alicetown

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Alicetown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Alicetown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.