Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet 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. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Newlands, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Newlands rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Newlands rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole which needs 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 the home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Newlands

Newlands rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest 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 heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to include an thermostat. This will make 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 are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newlands

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Newlands

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to allow the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with 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 is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Newlands include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.