Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

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 make sure their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any 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 which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Newlands, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Newlands rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for 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, and Draught stopping for Newlands rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Newlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Newlands

Rental properties in Newlands need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newlands

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Newlands

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make it easier for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet 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 more R-value is higher, 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standard in Newlands include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.