(A Property Management company will check that all compliance has been taken care of on behalf of the landlord)
- INSULATION: A report is required to ascertain the status of the insulation. They will check if it is possible to put in insulation under the floor, if it is not viable due to the design of the house then the certificate states that, providing an exemption and a quote for materials and installation.
- The certificate provided on the condition and status of the insulation is required to be provided to the tenant at the time that they tenant the property. As this is now the law, it is important to do this properly to protect the landlord.
- We use a company called Green Star, they only charge $50 for the inspection of insulation and they will give you a full report and the certificate required for tenancy. They will also recommend what may need to be done to bring up to the legal standard.
- SMOKE DETECTION: Now a legal requirement to have functional smoke detectors in the required places to protect the tenants. The detectors are required by law to be functional and within their expiry date. If they have a reasonable amount of time left before expiry date, then they are acceptable as long as the battery is in working condition and it is tested prior to the property being tenanted. The landlord must remember to change them prior to expiry. If they need to be replaced then they will have to be replaced with the new standard required which is – 10 year battery life, Photoelectric detectors. Once these are installed and the landlord checks that they are functional prior to the tenants moving in, after that it is the tenant’s responsibility to check that they are working on a regular basis and to change the battery if its needed, the tenant must inform the landlord if they are dysfunctional, then it’s the landlords responsibility to replace them.
- We use SATS to provide the installation and supply of the correct smoke detectors for compliance. Cost $99 per year, they will provide and install for this cost.
- HEATING: If there is heating in the property; i.e a heat pump, HRV, they must have a scheduled maintenance plan for servicing and filter replacement. If it is a fireplace it must be in working condition maintained and (certified with an annual chimney clean). If it is gas heating, then all gas sources and appliances must be certified as compliant.
- METH TESTING: This is not legally mandatory, however, we strongly advise this to be done when the property is vacant prior to tenancy and between tenancies providing a baseline test as a protection for the landlords insurance and compliance position. A Meth managed property provides assurance to tenants, making it more attractive. This test is approx. $250 including gst, for a standard 3 bedroom home.
- HEALTH & SAFETY: This is a legal requirement; the onus is on the landlord to provide the property in a safe and reasonable condition prior to a tenant taking up residence there. This means that whilst the property is tenanted it will come under ‘The Residential Tenancies Act’, when the property is vacant it is considered a ‘workplace’ and will come under the Health & Safety Act, this will require the landlord (property manager) to inform all persons accessing the property either to view or fix it of any hazards, i.e dog, or slippery path when raining etc, prior to them entering the work place.
This article was reproduced in its entirety via the BCRE Ltd Papakura Property Management office.
If you would like to discuss the possibility of renting your residential property, please give us a call and we can let you know the most suitable person to meet your needs.