Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified for both 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Newlands, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Newlands rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Newlands rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Newlands

Rental properties in Newlands must have a fixed source of heat 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 indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it could need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newlands

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Newlands

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier for the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Newlands include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.