Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of 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 connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised 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 bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Newlands, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Newlands rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Newlands rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Newlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Newlands

Rental properties in Newlands should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current installed 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 mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newlands

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Newlands

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to allow the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full 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 with Health 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 a variety of concerns to check during the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.