Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Newlands, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Newlands rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Newlands rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Newlands

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

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newlands

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air is easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Newlands

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standards. 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 to check during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.