Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Newlands 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 conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or 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 does not supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever 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 as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Newlands, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Newlands rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Newlands rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Newlands

Rental properties in Newlands must have a fixed heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it may need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newlands

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Newlands

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Newlands include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.