Healthy Homes Assessment Newlands

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to evaluate 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 on a Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Newlands rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Newlands, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Newlands rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Newlands rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Newlands

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Newlands

Rental properties in Newlands must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Newlands

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Newlands

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Newlands Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Newlands

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Newlands include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Newlands for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.