Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we 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

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

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property 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 generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Newlands rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Newlands rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Newlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Newlands

Rental properties in Newlands should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newlands

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented 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.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Newlands

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier to the house to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able 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 a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 with The Healthy Homes Standards in Newlands include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.