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 of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals 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 evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Newlands, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Newlands rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Newlands rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting 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 homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Newlands

Rental properties in Newlands should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newlands

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Newlands

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about 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 through The Healthy Homes Standards in Newlands include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.