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 the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Alicetown, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Alicetown rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Alicetown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Alicetown

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Alicetown

Rental properties in Alicetown require a reliable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Alicetown

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Alicetown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to the household to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Alicetown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full 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 Standards. 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 numerous concerns you should look for during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.