Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Newlands, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Newlands rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower 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 Control for Newlands rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Newlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

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’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Newlands

Rental properties in Newlands should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll 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 acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it could need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Newlands

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be 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 spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

Insulation Newlands

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to allow the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Newlands include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.