Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to evaluate 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 on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Newlands, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Newlands rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded 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, and Draught-stopping in Newlands rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Newlands

Newlands rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newlands

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Newlands

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task for the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must 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 place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the 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 The Healthy Homes Standards in Newlands include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.