Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to assess 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Newlands, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Newlands rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means 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 Control for Newlands rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Newlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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

Heating Newlands

Newlands rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newlands

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Newlands

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make more easy for the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Newlands include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home assessment.