Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Newlands rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an 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 fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Newlands rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Newlands rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Newlands Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Newlands

Rental properties in Newlands should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it may need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newlands

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside, but remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Newlands

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough 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 accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.