Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with 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 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to be aware that landlords with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Newlands, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Newlands rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Newlands rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Newlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Newlands

Newlands rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

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

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newlands

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Newlands

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to allow the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs 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 insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Newlands include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.