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 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 rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are 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

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

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within 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 the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Newlands, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Newlands rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control within Newlands rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A damp house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Newlands

Newlands rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Newlands

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Newlands

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist 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 – the remainder of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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 by the Healthy Homes Standards in Newlands include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.