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 must ensure that their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate each of 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 contract is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct an house inspection 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 so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Newlands, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Newlands rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Start now and call about receiving a Newlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Newlands

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

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Newlands

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy 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 to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Newlands

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy for the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Newlands include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.