Healthy Homes Assessment Alicetown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure that 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 rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property 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 up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Alicetown, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Alicetown rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Alicetown rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Alicetown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Alicetown

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can 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 getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Alicetown

Alicetown rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it could need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Alicetown

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Alicetown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the 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 lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Alicetown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is 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 accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Alicetown include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Alicetown for Rental Properties

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

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.