Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely 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 assess 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 of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied 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 the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Newlands, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Newlands rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs 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, as well Draught Stopping for Newlands rental properties.

Start now and call about the Newlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Newlands

Newlands rental properties require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newlands

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Newlands

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to allow the household to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Newlands include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.