Healthy Homes Assessment Alicetown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 are required to be completely 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 can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified for 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Alicetown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

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

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Alicetown, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Alicetown rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Alicetown

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during an 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 well-being homes

Heating Alicetown

Rental properties in Alicetown require a reliable heating source which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Alicetown

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Alicetown

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to allow the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands 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 rest of the 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 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Alicetown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about 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 Standard in Alicetown include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Alicetown for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.