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? The 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 new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place 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 can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Newlands, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Newlands rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within 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 less temperature in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Newlands

Rental properties in Newlands must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Newlands

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Newlands

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

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

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Newlands include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient 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 being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.